St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith has an official arraignment date. According to St. Tammany’s district attorney Collin Sims, Smith is expected to face a judge Aug. 20.
In light of the sheriff’s recent felony charge, some residents in St. Tammany are calling for their top cop to resign.
“I would like to see him resign,” Terry King said. “There is a huge trust issue right now, as it should be; a lot of people did not know about the sheriff’s personal behaviors, but now it’s out there front and center.”
King is head of the Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany, a popular organization on the Northshore which aims to hold public government accountable and ensure public policies reflect the interests of the community.
King tells WDSU many residents voiced their concerns over the sheriff’s ability to lead his deputies and the department.
He specifically pointed to his high bar tab released in a recent report, and then the alleged assault against a man that followed afterward.
He’s now fighting a felony charge and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
“Obviously his judgment is impaired,” King said. “According to the report that the attorney general’s office had, he had 14 cocktails and four glasses of wine before 5 o’clock.”
In a statement, Smith already declared that he would continue to lead the department while he fights his legal troubles, which, according to legal analyst Stavros Panagoulopoulos, he has a right to.
Panagoulopoulos tells WDSU it is unusual for the state to step in to remove an elected official from office.
He said unless convicted, there’s a very good chance Smith could remain in office for the rest of his term, which doesn’t end until 2028.
“He would have to resign himself — that would be the only way right now for the people of St Tammany to have a new sheriff,” Panagoulopoulos said.
The attorney general’s office is still investigating at this time.
Sims said once the investigation is complete, his office will evaluate the case.
As for his August arraignment, there’s no word on whether a sitting St. Tammany judge or a judge outside the parish will oversee this case.
READ MORE:Residents call for St. Tammany sheriff’s resignation
