A Sanford man wanted on a charge of gross sexual assault was arrested Wednesday afternoon, about five years after police say they began investigating him.

The York County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that sheriff’s deputies and Maine State Police troopers took Cody Smart, 33, into custody without incident at a home in Limerick.

In 2021, the sheriff’s office opened an investigation into an allegation that Smart had sexually assaulted a child. According to the news release, he was later charged with one count each of gross sexual assault, a Class A crime, and solicitation of a child, a Class C crime.

Smart failed to appear in court to respond to the charges, the sheriff’s office said, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Officials were unsuccessful in their efforts to locate him until this month, when the sheriff’s office and the U.S. Marshals Service uncovered a lead that Smart might be in Limerick.

Smart was taken to the York County Jail, and his bail was set at $25,000, according to the sheriff’s office. He remained in custody at the jail as of late Thursday morning, according to jail staff.

Class A crimes — the highest level of crime in Maine — are punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Class C crimes are punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

HOW TO GET HELP

IF YOU or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you can call 1-800-871-7741 for free and confidential help 24 hours a day.

TO LEARN more about sexual violence prevention and response in Maine, visit the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault website at mecasa.org.

IF YOU or someone you know is struggling with a mental health crisis, you can also call the Maine Crisis Line 24 hours a day at 1-888-568-1112.

FOR MORE information about mental health services in Maine, visit the website for the state’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.