This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Residents Warned of Child Molester Moving Into Torrance Neighborhood

Residents of a Torrance neighborhood received a visit from police today, and not a welcome one. Authorities were knocking on doors to let community members know that they had a new neighbor -- twice-convicted child molester Ronald Lee Smith, 58. In 1997, reports KTLA, Smith was convicted of molesting a 9-year-old girl, and in 2001, a 4-year-old girl. He has now moved into the New Horizons Retirement Home in Torrance.
According to KCBS, police made the decision to hand out flyers with Smith's picture on them after he warned officials that he didn't know whether he'd be able to resist attacking another child. The two kids he is known to have molested were children of acquaintances.
Smith is on probation until 2021.