ROBERTSDALE, Alabama -- The hunt for a Robertsdale man who failed to appear for a sentencing hearing last week has gone nationwide.

The case of a Robertsdale man who failed to appear for a sentencing hearing last week has been turned over to the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office.

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office issued a “Be On The Lookout” (BOLO) alert for John David Smith of Robertsdale, a registered sex offender, after he failed to appear in court for sentencing on Wednesday, March 20.

The investigation has now been turned over to the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office, said BCSO Investigator Eric Winberg.

The conviction stems from a 2005 arrest on charges of possession and possession with the intent to disseminate obscene matter of persons under the age of 17 involved in obscene acts.

“We have been working on this case for quite some time,” said Trent Wilhelm with the DA’s office. “He has manipulated the court system for years in order to avoid conviction.”

Wilhelm said Smith had appeared in court several times in a wheelchair, appearing to need assistance to function. He also appeared to be unresponsive to attorney and judge cross examination.

He was convicted, Wilhelm said, following video evidence presented from a gas station surveillance video in Brewton.

“The video shows him clearly walking upright and capable of making his own decisions,” Wilhelm said. “The fact that he fled rather than face sentencing also shows that he is competent.”

Smith was being electronically monitored by the Community Corrections Division of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office when he cut his GPS ankle monitor off this morning prior to the hearing.

Smith’s last known location was at his residence on Parker Lane in Robertsdale.  He is possibly traveling in a red 1993 Nissan Sentra. His direction of travel was unknown.

He is described as a white male, 6-feet, 150-pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

The DA’s office is working with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office along with several other agencies, including the U.S. Marshal’s Office, Wilhelm said.

“We are exploring several leads at this time, each one bringing us closer to his whereabouts or eliminating a possibility,” Wilhelm said. “Just because we are working with the U.S. Marshal’s office doesn’t mean we believe he has fled to California or somewhere. He could be anywhere. If we knew where he was, we would go pick him up.”

In addition to the original charges, Wilhelm said, Smith now faces additional charges, including a federal bail jumping charge which could carry a life sentence.

 “The suspect does have active felony warrants for his arrest,” according to the release. “We are asking that the public not approach the suspect, and to notify law enforcement immediately.”

Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts should contact the DA’s office at 251-937-0274 or the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department, 251-937-0202.