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TYLER — A Smith County patrol deputy was arrested Wednesday on federal charges of drug trafficking.
According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, deputy Kimbrick Bernard Jones, 38, was arrested around 5 a.m. at the Smith County Jail accused of selling drugs from his county patrol unit while on duty.
Sheriff Larry Smith told KETK he heard rumors Jones had sold crack cocaine while on duty.
“We got enough information on him two months ago to begin an investigation,” Smith said. The investigation included officials with the sheriff’s department as well as the narcotics unit, FBI and Texas Rangers.
“These are only accusations at this time and we have full trust and confidence in the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Texas to move this case forward through the criminal justice system,” Smith said.
Jones worked for the Smith County Sheriff’s Office on two separate occasions dating back a number of years in the jail and patrol divisions.
Jones was placed in federal custody Wednesday and his employment terminated.
“Law enforcement officers with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office were put on notice by me on Jan. 1 of this year that they will be held to a higher standard than the general public,” Smith said.
“This is necessary for anyone who is tasked with enforcing the law and who expects to gain the trust and support of the community we serve. This administration has zero tolerance when it comes to the employees violating the law and violating the trust of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Smith County.”
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