A former Newton County jailer is facing a felony charge after being accused of having a sexual relationship with an underage girl.
23-year-old Trevor Coy Smith of Jasper was arrested Friday and charged with fourth-degree sexual assault. Smith was booked into the Boone County Detention Center before posting bond. He has been ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim or her family.
According to Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler in a statement posted by KTLO, the investigation began after authorities were contacted regarding a runaway juvenile from another county. Investigators determined the juvenile was staying at Smith’s residence.
Sheriff Wheeler said Smith was immediately suspended and the prosecuting attorney requested that the Arkansas State Police conduct an independent investigation.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Smith initially told investigators he believed the girl was 18 years old when they had sexual contact. During a later interview, investigators say Smith admitted he lied about his age to the girl’s parents and knew the girl was underage. The girl later spent a night at Smith’s residence after learning she was pregnant, before deputies located her.
Following the findings of the investigation, Sheriff Wheeler said Smith’s employment with the sheriff’s office was terminated.
The arrest marks the second criminal case involving employees of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office in the past six weeks. Former Chief Deputy Mikel Lorne Blocker and investigator Aaron Ray Carter were arrested in September in connection with an alleged theft of firearms investigation.
Sheriff Wheeler in a statement posted by KTLO said:
“This is another very unfortunate situation that sheds a bad light on my agency. An agency that I work so hard to run with integrity and transparency. But, as with other recent events, my staff and I take these things very seriously and immediately took action and notified the proper people to initiate an unbiased investigation. We will always do that and hold our employees, and me, accountable. I believe that I and my staff are held to a higher standard and I have a duty and obligation to ensure that. As long as I’m Sheriff, we will always work under that premise.”
Smith’s charge remains pending in court.
