St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith pleaded guilty today to one count of second-degree battery for attacking a critic of his at a restaurant near Madisonville on May 29th. District Attorney Collin Sims as part of the plea deal, Smith is no longer the sheriff.
“We were able to secure his immediate resignation, so that the men and women of St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, which is 800+ employees and deputies, can move on and go about doing the business of protecting the public,” Sims said.
Sims says the former sheriff can reduce the felony battery conviction to a misdemeanor if he completes an 18-month treatment program that will address his alcohol issues.
“We’re giving him an opportunity and a path that we afford every other citizen in this parish, to earn a misdemeanor if they address the issue that caused it,” Sims explained.
Smith also pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace by public intoxication. Last month, the former sheriff attacked from behind Robert Couvillon, a blogger and social media personality. Couvillon suffered a concussion and dental injuries and was hospitalized.
Sims says the victim and the investigating agency, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, are satisfied with this case’s resolution.
“I think it meets all the objectives of what a sentence is supposed to be: Promote respect for the law, you address the issue at hand, which is the sheriff’s sobriety in this particular case; and I think it still promotes respect for the law that everyone will be held accountable,” Sims noted.
Smith served as the sheriff of St. Tammany for nearly a decade and was serving in his third term. Prior to his time as sheriff, Smith was the Slidell police chief from 2010 to 2016. He has spent 40 years in law enforcement.
Smith says it’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve the St. Tammany Parish community, but retiring at this time is in the best interest of the agency, his family and the public. Bret Ibert will take over as Interim Sheriff until a new Sheriff is elected.