A federal jury found former Savanna, Oklahoma, police officer Jeffrey Scott Smith, 35, guilty of sexually assaulting a woman during a traffic stop, according to officials.
Smith also tried to hide the crime by turning off his body and dash cameras.
This is the first case of sexual assault conviction under the enhanced penalties of the 2022 Violence Against Women Act reauthorization.
At a trial, it was shown that on November 2, 2022, during his first shift alone, Jeffrey Scott Smith stopped a car driven by a couple, K.H. and her boyfriend J.G., because J.G.’s license had expired.
After issuing a speeding ticket and asking personal questions, Smith turned off his body camera. He then asked K.H. about her job and, upon learning she worked at a gentlemen’s club, searched their car.
He found a marijuana cigarette in K.H.’s purse but instead of arresting her, he turned off his dashboard camera and then sexually assaulted K.H. in his patrol car.
He faces up to 40 years in prison on the civil rights count. He also faces 20 years in prison on each of the obstruction of justice counts, one count for deactivating his body-worn camera, and one count for deactivating his dashboard camera.
Smith was detained, pending a sentencing scheduled at a later date.
“Today the Department of Justice sends an unequivocal warning: we will hold accountable those who abuse their authority by engaging in sexual assault,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “That’s exactly why we advocated so strongly for reauthorization of VAWA two years ago. This may be the first time we have used the new enhanced penalties for civil rights violations involving sexual assault but it will not be the last. We will work tirelessly to seek Justice for survivors of sexual assault.”
“This case is historic because this is the first defendant to be found guilty and subject to the enhanced penalties in the 2022 Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Sexual assaults perpetrated by police officers are heinous crimes and a disgraceful breach of the public trust in law enforcement. We acknowledge the victim’s courage in coming forward and immediately reporting this abuse, and for her strength as she testified in trial.”
“It’s impossible to comprehend why the defendant felt entitled to treat an innocent woman this way,” said Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. “Instead of ensuring a safe environment for the victim, Smith abused his authority for his own sick gratification. When an officer violates the rights of any citizen, they put the public’s trust in law enforcement at risk. The FBI will not stand for this egregious behavior.”
The Oklahoma City FBI Field Office investigated.
Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Clay Compton and Nicole Paladino for the Eastern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.