Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith accuses district attorney of lying about severity of charges against him
Share and Follow


WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — The embattled sheriff of Walker County is countering prosecutors’ claims on the penalty of the crimes he is charged with, alleging they were purposefully misstated to sway the upcoming election next year.

On Monday, Sheriff Nick Smith was indicted on charges related to hiring six men as deputies who weren’t certified by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission. Likewise, Chief Deputy Ralph Williams was charged with lying to the APOSTC about firing a deputy who was still on the force.

Specifically, Smith is charged with six counts of violating article of standards for employing law enforcement officers. According to the Code of Alabama, the charge is a misdemeanor subject to fines of no more than $1,000.

During a press conference announcing the charges against Smith, however, District Attorney Bill Adair claimed the charges could result in up to three months in jail and a $500 fine on each charge.

“That it is the belief of Sheriff Smith that the District Attorney has purposely misstated/overstated the penalty for the charges against the Sheriff for the express purpose of negatively influencing potential voters in the upcoming election,” wrote Thomas Carmichael, Smith’s attorney.

Following the indictment, which he called “lawfare” and a “political arrest,” Smith accused Adair of going after him to help J.C. Poe, chief of the Jasper Police Department who is running against him in an election to be held November 3, 2026. Responding to Smith’s accusations, Adair said the sheriff was living in an “alternate reality.”

Carmichael has requested that the penalty for the charges against Smith be certified to reflect no jail time and no more than a $1,000 fine.

The case is ongoing.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Square Roots Festival 2025: Live music festival returns to Lincoln Square, Chicago with bands, craft beers and family fun

Square Roots Festival 2025: Enjoy live music, craft beers, and family fun in Lincoln Square, Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — Square Roots returns July 11 through July 13, drawing…
Dalai Lama turns 90, gets global support in challenge for China

Dalai Lama celebrates 90th birthday with worldwide support amidst tensions with China

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, turned 90 on…
Central Texas flash flooding: North Texans reported missing, deceased

Flash flooding in Central Texas results in missing and deceased individuals from North Texas.

Severe flooding in Central Texas claimed at least 43 lives and left…
Desperate search underway for the missing after Texas floods leave at least 69 dead

Efforts intensify to find missing individuals following Texas floods that result in a death toll of at least 69

World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit disaster relief group, is in the Texas…
Camp Mystic director dies while trying to save kids during Texas flooding

Camp Mystic director dies while trying to save kids during Texas flooding

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The camp director and…
US tariffs on European goods threaten to shake up the world's largest 2-way trade relationship

US Tariffs Could Disrupt the World’s Largest Two-Way Trade Partnership

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) America’s largest trade partner, the European Union, is among…
Nantucket property wars after man 'cuts down neighbor's trees'

Nantucket Property Dispute Erupts Over Alleged Tree Cutting by Neighbor

A property feud has erupted on a wealthy Massachusetts island after a…
Bodies of all 7 missing found at a California fireworks warehouse that exploded

7 missing individuals located at California fireworks warehouse explosion site

ESPARTO, Calif. (AP) Authorities in Northern California have found the bodies of…