DETECTIVE RESIGNS IN MARIJUANA CASE

Smith Was 13-Year Veteran

DICKINSON -- Veteran Broome County sheriff's detective Christopher L.
Smith has resigned from the department rather than face termination
over his marijuana-possession conviction.

"It basically was a question of resign or be terminated," Broome
County Sheriff David E. Harder said.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty Tuesday in Town of Barker Justice Court
to fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor.
Smith, who admitted to having more than 2 ounces of marijuana, will
pay a $1,000 fine.

Smith also received a conditional discharge as part of his sentence
from Justice Gary K. Blackman. The detective of 13 years could have
served up to a year in jail.

The conditional discharge means that he will be prosecuted on the
original charge if arrested again within the next year.

"He is done," Harder said Friday. "He's off the payroll, and now I
look for a new employee." Smith's resignation was effective Jan. 25.
His pay stopped at that time, Harder said.

Smith was charged after state police noticed marijuana plants on his
Town of Barker property while investigating a domestic incident
between the detective and his wife.

He had been receiving his $52,023 pay since he was put on leave seven
months ago, although he was docked one month's pay.

The detective was arraigned in July.

Smith's detective post probably won't be filled before September, to
enable officials to consider results of a June state Civil Service
examination, Harder said.

The sheriff, however, immediately will seek to hire a deputy at an
annual base salary of $36,665. The deputy post will be filled either
by a lateral transfer or an existing civil service list, Harder said.