Posted 12:31 am Thursday, May 03, 2012
Smith County Jailer Arrested On DWI Charge
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
A Smith County jailer found himself locked up in the same jail where he has worked since 2005 after a one-vehicle crash Tuesday night.
Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Jean Dark confirmed information that Trooper Sean Waterman was dispatched to a scene last night where he arrested 67-year-old Michael Chambers on driving while intoxicated charges.
Trooper Dark said Waterman arrested Chambers at the scene of the accident on County Road 165 about 9 p.m. Tuesday.
“His vehicle went off the road and struck a tree. He was not injured and was taken to jail on a DWI charge,” she said of the accident.
Staff Writer
A Smith County jailer found himself locked up in the same jail where he has worked since 2005 after a one-vehicle crash Tuesday night.
Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Jean Dark confirmed information that Trooper Sean Waterman was dispatched to a scene last night where he arrested 67-year-old Michael Chambers on driving while intoxicated charges.
Trooper Dark said Waterman arrested Chambers at the scene of the accident on County Road 165 about 9 p.m. Tuesday.
“His vehicle went off the road and struck a tree. He was not injured and was taken to jail on a DWI charge,” she said of the accident.
Waterman reported that Chambers was cooperative during the investigation. Jail records indicate Chambers had a blood alcohol content greater than .15, which is twice the state legal limit of .08.
Smith County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon said Wednesday morning that he was disappointed in his jailer and he would face disciplinary actions.
“He has been on medical leave for about a month so I cannot do anything at this moment, but as soon as he comes off of medical leave then he will be placed on suspension pending the outcome of the charges,” he said.
Smith County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon said Wednesday morning that he was disappointed in his jailer and he would face disciplinary actions.
“He has been on medical leave for about a month so I cannot do anything at this moment, but as soon as he comes off of medical leave then he will be placed on suspension pending the outcome of the charges,” he said.
Garmon said with a department the size of the sheriff’s department it was impossible to constantly monitor employees when they were on their own time.
“I should not be judged by what they do, but how I respond once I learn of the something like this. As soon as possible he will be suspended,” he said.
Jail records indicate that Chambers posted a $700 bail and was released from jail shortly before 10:30 a.m.
“I should not be judged by what they do, but how I respond once I learn of the something like this. As soon as possible he will be suspended,” he said.
Jail records indicate that Chambers posted a $700 bail and was released from jail shortly before 10:30 a.m.
