GRANT COUNTY, IN- On Saturday, January 18th, 2025, at approximately 7:04 am, Marion Police Patrol Officers responded to the area of the 500 block of East 4th Street in Marion for a disturbance. Grant County Central Dispatch was advised that a 16-year-old female stated that a 36-year-old male was putting his hands on her. Officers located a vehicle in the area and the two individuals were present. The male was identified as 28-year-old Anthony Franko-Smith out of Muncie, Indiana. While Officers were speaking to the female juvenile, they noticed fresh cuts on her face that were red and swollen. She also reported that Franko-Smith would not let her get out of the car by grabbing her legs. The female juvenile stated that Franko-Smith was known for selling kids for dope in the Anderson area, to clarify that he participates in sex trafficking. During the interview of the juvenile she believed that Franko-Smith was going to sell her for crack cocaine later that evening. The juvenile stated that Franko-Smith became mad because the juvenile wanted to leave and go back to Muncie. The juvenile had made it to the backseat of the vehicle and Franko-Smith continued to confine the juvenile by holding the juvenile’s legs. The juvenile was trying to make it back to Muncie before being sold for narcotics. The juvenile reported that Franko-Smith agreed to take her back but that the juvenile had to have sex with him. The juvenile reported narcotics in the vehicle that was described as white clear rocks in zip lock baggies. The juvenile was subsequently transported to the Marion Police Department and was interviewed. The Criminal Investigations Division assisted with the investigation along with Grant County Child Protection Services. At the conclusion of the interview there was enough probable cause to arrest Anthony Franko-Smith on the following charges:
Promotion of Child Sex Trafficking (Level 3 Felony)
Criminal Confinement (Level 6 Felony)
Possession of a Narcotic Drug (Level 6 Felony)
Interference with Reporting a Crime (A-Misdemeanor)
Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (A-Misdemeanor)
Intimidation (A-Misdemeanor)
Battery with Injury (A-Misdemeanor)
Anthony Franko-Smith is being held in the Grant County Jail on a $50,500 Cash Bond.
