Former Deputy Wade Smith surrendered Wednesday morning at the Richmond County Jail and was booked on charges for allegedly tampering with evidence.
Smith, 34, was fired earlier this year after investigators learned he had confiscated a large amount of marijuana, money, and a handgun in a case and did not document it in any report or recover the property correctly.
“Deputy Smith advised that the narcotics were destroyed, the weapon was discarded and all of the cash was turned over to a relative of the defendant,” said Sgt. Monice Belser in a press release. “As a result, it was determined at a minimum that Deputy Wade Smith violated Sheriff’s Office policy and procedures.”
Smith, a 11-year-veteran of the RCSO, was fired June 4 and a grand jury indicted him Tuesday on charges of tampering with evidence and violation of oath of office.
He is being held under a $16,700 bond.