Foley, Ala. — (OBA) —  The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office has arrested a 27-year-old Foley man following a large-scale investigation into Internet Crimes Against Children. Investigators say the case resulted in one of the agency's largest digital evidence seizures. The suspect, Douglas Smith, is a Baldwin County resident. The arrest followed multiple cyber tips that led law enforcement to illegal material linked to Smith.

The investigation began on August 13, 2026, when the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office received cyber tips from an electronic service provider. The provider had detected illegal material on its platform and notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tips identified Smith as the suspect. Investigators then obtained and executed search warrants at Smith's residence in Foley and at his vehicle in Robertsdale.

During the searches, investigators seized digital devices and found evidence of unlawful activity. Smith was interviewed by investigators after the searches. He acknowledged possessing a large quantity of illegal files he had accumulated over many years. Investigators ultimately recovered multiple terabytes of illegal material from his devices.

The volume of recovered material makes it one of the largest digital evidence seizures in the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office's history. Officials say the arrest underscores the ongoing dangers children face online. The agency and its law enforcement partners say they remain committed to identifying and apprehending those who engage in illegal online activity.

The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office issued a statement reaffirming its mission to protect children. "The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office and its law enforcement partners are committed to continuing their efforts to identify and apprehend individuals who engage in illegal online activities and to ensure the safety and well-being of all children," the agency stated.