The
former administrator of Loudon County's jail pleaded guilty
to stealing from the inmate commissary account.
Ruthie Teresa Smith pleaded guilty last week in Loudon
County Criminal Court to a charge of theft of property of
$1,000 to $10,000. She was sentenced to pay about $7,000 in
restitution and serve two years of supervised probation. A
charge of official misconduct was dismissed.
Loudon County Sheriff Tim Guider said his office was pleased
with the resolution. "I'm sure this gives resolution for
Teresa so that she can move forward with her life," Guider
said.
Smith's attorney, James A.H. Bell, brokered the agreement
with District Attorney General Russell Johnson. The
agreement also was approved by Judge Eugene Eblen and
Guider.
The court reviewed a large number of documents and letters
from the community that expressed support for Smith. She
also completed 30 hours of community service and made
restitution, he said. "She's a great person and now she'll
have a second chance," Bell said.
County Commissioner Van Shaver said he was glad the issue
was resolved but he still has concerns. "I have told the
(Loudon County) Commission that I think the Comptroller's
Office needs to do a more extensive audit to make sure this
activity has not occurred during past years," he said.
Smith resigned in August 2014. She was arrested in December
and released on $2,000 bail. Smith was replaced as head
jailer by Lt. Jake Keener.
A 19-year veteran of the Loudon Sheriff's Office, Smith was
earning $40,000 per year and served as chief administrator
of the jail for 10 years. She had previously worked as a
dispatcher for the county, Guider said.
Smith was accused of taking nearly $14,000 from the
commissary account she supervised after a routine audit by
the state Comptroller's Office found the money missing. The
9th Judicial District Attorney General's office asked the
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter in
August.
About $7,000 was found in Smith's county vehicle. Because
the money was recovered, the charge was reduced from theft
of $10,000 to $60,000 — which carries a penalty of three to
15 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
According to court records, Smith must maintain regular
employment and was also ordered to perform 60 hours of
community service and to pay $1,000 to the 9th District
Fraud and Economic Crime Fund in lieu of fines and court
costs.
Bell said Smith is also eligible for diversion at the
discretion of the court and may apply to have her record
expunged after successfully completing the agreement.