Underage Sting Operation

Media Release

11/24/2025

       On November 21, 2025, a two-day joint underage sting operation was conducted in the Warrenton Shores area of Guntersville. Agencies involved were the MCSO, Guntersville Police Department, FBI, DHS, and the District Attorney's Office. The purpose of this operation was to identify individuals who were attempting to engage underage children for sex. In this operation, Agents posed as underage children on various media platforms.  

      During this operation, the following arrests were made:
      Edward Mattox, 55, from Ashland, Alabama is charged with traveling to meet a child for an unlawful act and human trafficking 1st. He remains in jail on a no bond.
      Kaiden Wilson, 19, of Guntersville is charged with traveling to meet a child for an unlawful act. He remains in jail on a no bond.

       A third suspect, Jack Andrew Smiley, 27, of Muncie, Indiana, arrived late Saturday night. During the operation, he resisted arrest by attempting to flee from officers, and he presented a weapon. Smiley was fatally wounded by gunfire from officers and pronounced dead at the scene. Two officers received minor injuries during the incident and were treated on scene. At the request of Chief Darnell and Sheriff Sims, ALEA responded to the scene to investigate the shooting. 

       "We take a proactive stance investigating these types of cases. These cases are complex and I appreciated partnering with the other agencies to make these arrests. We have to be prepared in any type of situation that can occur. These sex predators out there target underage children for sex and they will travel to anywhere to meet. In this case, an individual traveled from Indiana to here. By conducting this operation, we hope anyone wanting to do harm to our children learn not to come to Guntersville or anywhere in Marshall County. We appreciate everyone's help who worked on this operation" Sheriff Phil Sims.