Former adult film actor Austin Wolf, whose real name is Justin Heath Smith, has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for crimes related to child sexual exploitation, prosecutors announced Monday.
The 44-year-old performer, once a high-profile figure in the adult entertainment industry, pleaded guilty in June to enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. On Sept. 26, a federal judge in Manhattan imposed the sentence, which also includes 10 years of supervised release and a $40,000 fine.
“Justin Heath Smith’s crimes against children are horrible,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton said in a statement. “He targeted kids as young as seven, and every New Yorker wants him and those like him off our streets for as long as possible and never again near our children.”
Smith was first arrested in April 2024, when federal agents raided his Manhattan apartment. According to court filings, investigators discovered approximately 200 videos of child sexual abuse material on an SD card. A broader search later revealed more than 1,200 files, including material depicting infants, toddlers, and violent assaults.
Prosecutors said Smith had a documented pattern of predatory behavior beginning in 2023. He arranged encounters with minors as young as 12 and 14, solicited sexually explicit images from children, and exchanged illegal material with at least 15 other individuals. In one instance, he and another adult male met with a 15-year-old, during which sexual activity occurred while Smith recorded part of the encounter.
Court records also describe a disturbing plan Smith made in early 2024, when he agreed to meet another man to sexually abuse a purported nine-year-old child. Although that meeting never occurred, authorities say Smith waited outside the man’s apartment before the encounter was called off.
Smith’s crimes escalated further when he attempted to connect with someone who claimed to have access to a seven-year-old child. Authorities arrested him before that meeting could take place.
“Smith not only abused minors himself but also sought out the most extreme forms of child sexual abuse material, including recordings of very young children being violently raped,” prosecutors said.
Once a prominent name in gay adult entertainment, Wolf cultivated a large social media following and appeared in high-profile adult productions. His sentencing marks a sharp and disturbing downfall for a performer who was once celebrated in LGBTQ+ nightlife and online spaces.
In announcing the sentence, prosecutors emphasized that the case highlights the urgency of protecting vulnerable youth. “The message to predators from our Office is clear: there is no place for you in New York other than prison,” Clayton said.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, resources are available. Text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected with a certified crisis counselor.
