Walker Co. Sheriff Disputes Contempt of Court Charge
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith is disputing Contempt of Court Charges filed against him by Walker County District Attorney Bill Adair's office. The prosecutor's Office claims Smith failed to turn over records requested in a case involving a Walker County Deputy Smith hired from out of state. Sheriff Smith claims they were handed over in April.
Records reportedly show that Deputy Andrew Neves-McDonald did not have the proper certification to carry a gun and badge or make official arrests in Alabama. That prompted the investigation by the DA's office.
The records requested are from Feb. 12, 2025, to March 27, 2025. They include arrest reports made while Neves-McDonald was employed in Walker County. The contempt filing states that on April 21, 2025, an investigator with the DA's office served Chief Deputy Ralph Williams with a subpoena for records requested from the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC). The DA's office claims no records had been received as of Tuesday of this week.
The state has requested the contempt motion against Sheriff Smith and/or the sheriff's office custodian of records. A judge will rule on that motion.
Sheriff Smith hired Neves-McDonald as a sheriff deputy in 2024 and requested a Waiver of Lateral Entry Training Equivalency Training through APOSTC because of his previous law enforcement employment and certification in Arizona, according to records according to APOSTC.
However, news partner ABC 3340 filed a request in March asking APOSTC about the status of Neves-McDonald. An email reply stated the deputy was "ineligible" because Neves-McDonald's certification had been suspended for cause in Arizona.
The Neves-McDonald situation is the latest is a series of legal troubles and controversies involving the Walker County Sheriff's Office. At least 10 jail employees or personnel involved in jail operations have pleaded guilty to various violations in the death of inmate Tony Mitchell while in custody.
One plea document claimed conditions were kept intentionally filthy to convince county commissioners to increase salaries and the budget for the jail.
Various Change.org petitions are calling for Smith to be impeached or step down in the wake of Mitchell’s death. Together they have more than 5,000 signatures.
Sheriff Smith removed his office from Facebook due to comments he claimed are presuming his personnel guilty without trial.
The Walker County Commission has responded to public requests for them to do something about the Walker County Sheriff's Office, but they say they have no legal oversight.
Now City of Jasper Police Chief J.C. Poe has announced he will run for sheriff saying the office needs new leadership to rebuild public trust.