A veteran deputy with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office was arrested Wednesday morning by sheriff officials, FBI and Texas Rangers, accused of selling crack cocaine and methamphetamines while on duty, Sheriff Larry Smith said during a press conference Wednesday.

Smith said he heard rumors of illegal activity by Kimbrick Jones, 38, a deputy assigned to the northwest portion of the county, when he took office in January, but until someone came forward there was no information to substantiate the allegations. 

Jones was arrested about 5 a.m. Wednesday morning in the sally port area of the jail, but Smith would not say if he was bringing in a prisoner or if he was just called to the location to be arrested. 

Smith said officers found drugs in Jones’ patrol car. Jones was advised of the charges and then his employment was terminated. He had been a deputy for five years. Before that he worked in the jail.

Smith said the arrest was the result of an investigation during the course of several months, and the investigation indicated that Jones allegedly sold crack cocaine and methamphetamines while on duty, in his patrol unit and in his uniform complete with his firearm. 

“This is a slap in the face to every man and woman that wears a uniform here for the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and also to the public which we’re supposed to serve,” Smith said.

Jones was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and using or carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Smith said the gun charge was a by-product of the accusation that Jones made the sales while on duty wearing his uniform — which includes a gun.

Jones could face up to 20 years in prison for the drug count and at least five years for a firearms count.

Smith said the case was handed over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution in the federal system because Jones was an officer of the law. 

Smith said he did not believe any other deputies were involved with Jones in selling narcotics, but added the investigation is ongoing. 

“I hope and pray this is the last of any such incident of this nature by an employee of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office,” Smith said. “If we are faced with similar situations in the future, let it be known that we will not rest, we will not give up and we will not fail to bring justice to any person with similar disregard for the office they were sworn to uphold.”

Jones remained in federal custody in the Gregg County Jail Wednesday afternoon. Smith said he did not expect any cases stemming from arrests made by Jones to be affected by the scandal.

The Associated Press and KYTX CBS19 contributed to this report.