Man found nude on Costa Mesa porch is charged in string of recent crimes

A convicted sex offender who was arrested Thursday after residents said they found him naked on a Costa Mesa porch faces three felony and 14 misdemeanor counts in connection with acts he is alleged to have committed in the past two months, according to charges filed Monday by the Orange County district attorney’s office.

The most serious allegations against Jeffrey R. Smith, 43, include breaking into homes to inappropriately touch women.

Charges stemming from these incidents — which occurred on June 22 and 28 — include burglary, misdemeanor sexual battery and elder abuse because one of the women was over 65 years old, according to court documents.

It’s unclear what Smith is accused of doing to the women or whether he knew them. Prosecutors could not provide more details Tuesday.

Police said they were already investigating Smith on allegations of sexual battery and other crimes when they arrested him Thursday.

According to the charges filed Monday, authorities believe they have tied him to cases of indecent exposure, peeping, prowling and trespassing between June 22 and July 16, in addition to sexual battery and burglary.

The document lists 10 incidents investigated by the Costa Mesa Police Department.

Smith previously was arrested around Orange County on suspicion of drug violations and failing to register as a sex offender.

In 1999, he pleaded guilty to felony sexual battery and nine misdemeanors, including peeping and false imprisonment. He was sentenced to two years in prison, according to court records.

Smith was in jail Tuesday with bail set at $150,000, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department records.