Oklahoma Sheriff Jason Smith Removed After Oppression Conviction; Court Orders Immediate Departure
COAL COUNTY, Okla. — A court ordered former Coal County Sheriff Jason Smith removed from office immediately on November 6, after a three-day trial in which a jury convicted him of oppression in office.
Smith had already been suspended following an indictment by a multicounty grand jury in late 2025. In addition to the oppression charge, he faced an allegation of habitual drunkenness, which the jury rejected on November 4. The removal trial stemmed from accusations by former employees who said Smith sexually harassed staff, made inappropriate remarks, drank on duty and created a hostile work environment. Court records show that in a July 2025 incident, Smith allegedly invited a female deputy to his home to drink during work hours and, during an argument, shoved his wife and punched the deputy's husband. Smith testified in his own defense and acknowledged he had made some mistakes.
Bryan Jump, who became interim sheriff after Smith's suspension, continues to run the sheriff's office following the removal order.
Source: The Oklahoman
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 俄克拉荷马州科尔盖特公园（Wikimedia Commons，CC BY-SA 3.0）
