Smith then asked K.H. about her job. She reluctantly mentioned that she worked at a gentlemen’s club. Upon learning this, Smith asked to search J.G.’s car. During the search, he looked in K.H.’s purse and found a pre-rolled promotional marijuana cigarette from her workplace.
A federal jury yesterday found former Savanna Oklahoma Police Officer (SPD), Jeffrey Scott Smith, 35, guilty of sexually assaulting a woman during a traffic stop. He was also convicted of obstructing justice by turning off his body-worn camera and dash camera to avoid recording the assault. This case marks the first sexual assault conviction under the 2022 Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which introduced tougher penalties for civil rights violations related to sexual misconduct.
“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. The Justice Department will hold law enforcement officers accountable when they abuse their authority by engaging in sexual misconduct, and we will seek justice for all victims of these crimes.”
“Law enforcement officers are sworn to protect and serve,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. “When an officer uses his position of authority to victimize another, justice demands accountability.”
“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.”
During the trial, evidence showed that on November 2, 2022, Smith, during his first solo shift for SPD, pulled over the victim, K.H., and her then-boyfriend, J.G. After checking their licenses, Smith discovered that J.G.’s license had expired. He had J.G. and K.H. switch seats in the car. Smith gave J.G. a speeding ticket and then started asking personal questions, such as how long they had been together. While still talking to them, Smith manually turned off his SPD body-worn camera.
Smith then asked K.H. about her job. She reluctantly mentioned that she worked at a gentlemen’s club. Upon learning this, Smith asked to search J.G.’s car. During the search, he looked in K.H.’s purse and found a pre-rolled promotional marijuana cigarette from her workplace. Instead of arresting her or giving her a ticket, Smith went back to his patrol car and manually turned off his dashboard camera. Once K.H. was in his vehicle, he sexually assaulted her.
Smith could be sentenced to a maximum of 40 years in prison for the civil rights violation. He also faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the obstruction of justice charges, one for deactivating his body-worn camera and another for deactivating his dashboard camera. Smith is currently in custody awaiting sentencing, with a hearing date to be determined later. A federal district court judge will decide the sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
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