Former Savanna, Oklahoma, Police Officer Jeffrey Scott Smith, 35, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman during a traffic stop and obstructing justice by disabling his body and dash cameras to avoid recording the crime, officials stated.
This marks the first conviction and sentencing under the 2022 Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which added enhanced penalties for civil rights offenses involving sexual misconduct.
During his first solo shift on Nov. 2, 2022, Smith pulled over K.H. and her then-boyfriend, J.G., for speeding.
After discovering J.G.’s license had expired, he had them switch drivers, issued a ticket, and asked personal questions about their relationship. According to authorities, he then manually turned off his body-worn camera.
When K.H. revealed she worked at a gentlemen’s club, Smith searched J.G.’s car, finding a promotional marijuana cigarette in her purse. Instead of arresting or ticketing her, he returned to his patrol car, turned off his dash camera, and then sexually assaulted her.
“Smith’s despicable acts traumatized the victim and soiled the reputation of the law enforcement community,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. “The sentence imposed is just punishment, and I am thankful to the FBI, the OSBI, and the prosecutors for their exceptional work in holding the defendant accountable for his crimes.”