LISA HOBBS
Contributor
A man once tasked with assisting in the state’s effort to identify and prosecute users, sellers, distributors, transporters and manufacturers of illegal substances has pled guilty to partaking in some of those activities.
Cody Smith, former director of the 12th Judicial District Drug Task Force, pled guilty to two charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to resell. His case was being heard in Marion County. He was sentenced to two 10-year sentences. Of that time, he must serve 11 months and 29 days before serving the remainder on probation.
Smith was named director in April 2017. He was terminated on May 31, 2021.
On Monday of this week, the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office released the following statement regarding an investigation into allegations that Smith misappropriated funds during his time as director:
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office, working in conjunction with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, has revealed the former director of the 12th Judicial District Drug Task Force (DTF) misappropriated at least $7,246 in confidential and seized funds between 2017 and 2021.
The 12th Judicial District Drug Task Force serves Bledsoe, Rhea, Sequatchie, Grundy, Franklin and Marion counties. During the investigation period, the DTF also served Van Buren and Warren counties.
Investigators determined the former director misappropriated funds by obtaining money for controlled drug purchases that were not supported by evidence, taking cash seized from the subject of a drug investigation, and taking confidential informant (CI) funds transferred from another agent. In one instance, the former director created a document omitting the seizure of $3,771 in cash. The same document contained the signature of another officer who confirmed his signature was not authentic.
Additionally, investigators question at least $4,225 in confidential fund expenditures made by the former director for which no supporting documentation could be found to show that evidence or services were obtained.
“It is critical for law enforcement agencies to maintain clear, thorough documentation and strict oversight of both evidence and financial transactions,” said Comptroller Mumpower. “Written policies must also be in place for the collection, recording, storage and destruction of evidence.”
The results of this investigation have been communicated to the Office of the District Attorney General of the 11th Judicial District, who was appointed as Pro Tem in this matter.
Editor’s note: Smith has not been charged with any crimes related to the Tennessee Comptroller’s investigation. He is innocent of those allegations until proven guilty in a court of law.
