A man from St. Peters, Missouri, has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for kidnapping his pregnant girlfriend at gunpoint and attempting to force her to have an abortion. Kevin L. Smith, 42, received a sentence of 188 months in prison and will serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration. He pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping and was sentenced on October 1.
According to court records, Smith abducted his pregnant girlfriend from her workplace in St. Charles, Missouri, on December 7, 2022. He then drove her across state lines to a Planned Parenthood facility in Fairview Heights, Illinois. During the trip, Smith used a loaded firearm to threaten the victim and said he would shoot her in the head if she did not comply.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft commented on the case: “It is not easy to shock law enforcement officials because we have pretty much seen it all—but then someone like Kevin Smith comes along. It is difficult to find words adequate to describe someone who would kidnap his pregnant girlfriend to force her to have an abortion at gunpoint and then continue to threaten her from jail,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This vile crime terrorized the victim and threatened the life of her unborn child. Smith deserves every minute of that prison sentence.”
Fairview Heights Police Chief Steve Johnson also addressed the incident: “This case represents a disturbing act of violence and abuse,” said Steve Johnson, Chief of the Fairview Heights Police Department. “Kevin Smith kidnapped his girlfriend at gunpoint and drove her across state lines against her will in an attempt to make her obtain an abortion. His actions were those of a dangerous and manipulative individual. Our investigators worked tirelessly to bring the facts forward, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office ensured Smith was held accountable in federal court. This sentencing sends a clear message that acts of violence will not be tolerated in our community.”
Court documents indicate that Smith received enhanced penalties due to ongoing harassment and threats made toward the victim while he was incarcerated.
The investigation was led by the Fairview Heights Police Department with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Trippi.
