Former Loudon jail official indicted on theft charge
A
grand jury indicted the former administrator of the Loudon
County Jail on charges she stole nearly $14,000 from inmate
accounts.
Ruthie Teresa Smith, 40, was released from jail Wednesday after posting a $2,000 bond on the charges, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Smith was indicted on charges of theft over $10,000 and official misconduct.
District Attorney General Russell Johnson requested the investigation Sept. 4 after an audit by the Comptroller of the Treasury determined money was missing from the inmate commissary account at the Loudon County Jail, according to the TBI. Smith was responsible for putting money into that account.
A joint probe by the TBI and the Comptroller's office determined nearly $14,000 was missing between Nov. 27, 2013, and Aug. 17, 2014.
Smith resigned in August, according to the TBI.
The indictments were handed up Wednesday and Smith surrendered later that day at the jail.
More details as they develop online.