NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- A fugitive wanted in Flagler County on child pornography charges was arrested early Monday morning after scaling down six stories of balconies at a New Smyrna Beach hotel, police said.

Alton Everett Smith, 46, was arrested outside of the Oceania Beach Club, located at 421 S. Atlantic Ave., after U.S. marshals and New Smyrna Beach police located him in room 605.

When authorities knocked on the room door, Smith exited the room through the balcony and began climbing down the building, New Smyrna Beach police said. When Smith reached the ground, he was taken into custody, police said.

Smith was wanted on 37 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child.

Authorities had suspected that Smith fled on a sailboat and might have been hiding at sea.

"The search became more extensive with the involvement of the U.S. Marshals," said Flagler County Sheriff's Office Maj. David O'Brien. "We were able to tap into their resources and utilize their federal arrest powers."

Investigators said they discovered hundreds of images and videos last week at Smith's Palm Coast home while looking into claims that his daughter was operating a prostitution ring.

Deputies said they believe most of the photos and videos were taken at Alton Smith's photography studio, which was called Hot Shots A1A. The studio closed about 18 months ago.

Investigators are urging parents who used the studio to call authorities if they think their children may have been victimized.

After complaining of chest pains, Alton Smith was treated at Halifax Medical Center. Deputies expect he will be booked into the Volusia County jail and then transferred to the Falgerl County Jail. His arrest warrant called for him to be held on $925,000 bond.

Smith's wife, Tina Marie Smith, 43, has been in custody since Dec. 30 on the same charges.