Former District 4 supervisor faces sentencing for four felonies March 31
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Dec. 17 — When District 4 representative Isaac Smelser suddenly submitted a resignation letter to the Page County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 23, 2024, no one seemed to know why the former member of the county Planning Commission had stepped down just 10 months into a four-year term as supervisor — not even county officials. Smelser stated in his resignation letter that “due to personal circumstances, I can no longer serve the citizens of Page County.”
However, Smelser publicly revealed his reasoning for the sudden resignation when he plead guilty to four felony charges related to child pornography in Page County Circuit Court one week before Christmas.
After receiving four direct indictments on Nov. 5, Smelser, 43, of Stanley, plead guilty in circuit court on Dec. 17 to the following four felony charges:
- An unclassified felony for producing or making child pornography (victim 15-plus years of age);
- A Class 5 felony for computer solicitation of someone under 18 years of age for pornography;
- Two Class 6 felonies for two counts of possession of child pornography.
According to a report last week by ShenValleyTimes.com, “Smelser began a relationship with a 15-year-old male in December of 2023 after meeting on an adult dating website,” based on testimony provided by the Attorney General’s Office in court on Dec. 17. “During the online relationship, Smelser sent images and videos of himself performing acts of self-gratification. In return, the teen sent images of himself to Smelser. All incidents occurred in Page County.”
“He admitted to meeting the teen online, but stated that he didn’t remember the victim being under-age,” SVT reported, based on statements made in court.
The relationship was ultimately discovered by the teen’s parents, according to testimony, when they bought him a new cell phone and graphic images were transferred.
The date of all four offenses was listed in court records as Dec. 23, 2023 — about six weeks after Smelser won an uncontested race for the District 4 seat on the Page County Board of Supervisors being vacated by Larry Foltz. Prior to his election, the first-time board member had been appointed to the Page County Planning Commission (representing District 4) for several years. The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) issued a press release showing that Smelser had completed his weeks-long training to become a supervisor about a month after his resignation.
The board of supervisors subsequently appointed Susan Kile to fill the term through Dec. 31, 2027.
When Smelser received four direct indictments from a circuit court grand jury on Nov. 5, a capias warrant was issued for his arrest. His official arrest date for all four offenses is Nov. 6, according to court records, and he appeared for a hearing on the capias warrant on Nov. 10. Smelser entered a plea of guilty on all four charges on Dec. 17, and now his sentencing will follow a 90-day pre-sentence review and is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Smelser is being represented by Charlottesville defense attorney Andre’ Hakes of Tucker Griffin Barnes Attorneys at Law.
When Smelser was indicted on Nov. 5, his name did not appear on the court docket with others receiving a “true bill” from the grand jury that day — possibly because he received direct indictments. However, that’s why the former supervisor did not appear among other names published by PVN in the November indictments. In addition, his first name is spelled “Issac” in all court records.
Access online court records in Page County Circuit Court – just CLICK HERE.
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