Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said his arrest Monday was all a part of a political ploy to support his opponent in the 2026 election.
Smith was arrested Monday and charged with six misdemeanor counts of violating article standards for employing law enforcement officers.
Chief deputy Ralph Williams was indicted on one count of false or misleading information.
The indictment alleges that Smith hired school resource officers and two other deputies who were not certified by the Alabama Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC), as required by law.
Smith said lawfare has made its way to Walker County politics and that the arrest is related to the sheriff campaign of J.C. Poe. Smith said Poe, the current Jasper Police chief, employs an investigator whom Smith claims is married to Assistant District Attorney Kristin Kiefer Huddleston.
"There can be no doubt that the District Attorney is now charging me to help his friend's campaign for Sheriff," Smith stated. "The District Attorney was made aware of employees of JC Poe working in similar capacities at the Jasper Police Department. Charges have not been pursued against him by the District Attorney. Instead, he was called and told that he needed to make some changes, which he did on the very day I sent a message to the District Attorney."
"Vehicles of the Jasper Police Department were restriped to meet APOSTC compliance," he continued. "If I was doing something wrong, why was I not afforded the same telephone call?"
Walker County District Attorney Bill Adair said the investigation has nothing to do with a political strategy. He added that Smith is living in an "alternate reality."
"First of all, we had a statement yesterday from the National Association of SRO chairman that said this was shocking, what's gone on," said Adair. "Second of all, the Department of Justice from Washington has been involved. From the moment we ask them to step in, the FBI has been involved."
According to Adair, the attorney general's office is also involved.
"This isn't just Walker County, this isn't just Walker County, podunk DA," he said. "This is the entire system. This is not a situation where somebody is supporting somebody in a local race."
Adair stated that when the protection of children is involved, agencies should adhere to proper and legal protocol.
He said he is not sure who is currently running the Walker County Sheriff's Office.
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