Saunderstown Man Accused of Touching Children at Polo Event in Portsmouth

A 52-year-old Saunderstown man is facing charges of second-degree child molestation and one count of simple assault after allegedly touching two 10-year-old children inappropriately at a July Newport International Polo event in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Police said Brian Smith, of 210 Pheasant Run, Saunderstown, was identified after an investigation launched after the July 19 incident at the Governor Seveny Complex.

He was arrested Monday in Lynnfield, Mass., as a fugitive from justice and later released on $10,000 cash bail in Peabody, Mass., District Court. He then turned himself in to Portsmouth Police and he was released on $30,000 surety bail after his initial felony appearance in District Court.

Police said Smith was at the complex during the polo event and struck up a conversation with the two children. While chatting, police said, he touched both children “to include underneath one child’s skirt” said Portsmouth Det. Sgt. Michael Arnold.

Smith is due to return to court on Nov. 6 for an attorney general screening conference.

Photo: Brian Smith, 52, of Saunderstown (Courtesy: Portsmouth Police Department)