Former Oklahoma police officer first in nation convicted under tough new sexual assault law
A former Savanna, Oklahoma, police officer has become the first in the nation to face stronger penalties under the 2022 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women's Act.
A federal jury earlier this month found Jeffrey Scott Smith Jr., 35, guilty of sexually assaulting a woman during a traffic stop after turning off his body-worn camera and dashboard camera to avoid recording the assault.
Smith faces up to 40 years in prison for the civil rights violation. The previous maximum penalty was 10 years.
Smith also faces 20 years in prison on each of two obstruction of justice counts — one for deactivating his body-worn camera and one for deactivating his dashboard camera.
“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.”
Clarke lauded the victim’s courage in reporting the crimes and testifying at trial.
Prosecutors said Smith on Nov. 2, 2022, was working his first solo shift for the police department in Savanna — about 140 miles southeast of Oklahoma City — when he conducted a traffic stop of the victim and her then-boyfriend.
He issued the man a speeding ticket and started asking personal questions, including how long the couple had been in a relationship. While speaking with the couple, Smith deactivated his body-worn camera, prosecutors said.
Smith asked the woman what she did for work. After she said she worked at a strip club, Smith searched the car and found a pre-rolled promotional marijuana cigarette from the club.
Prosecutors said Smith placed the woman in his patrol car and sexually assaulted her after deactivating his dashboard camera.
He will be formally sentenced at a future date.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the guilty verdict sends “an unequivocal warning” that those who abuse their authority to engage in sexual assault will be held accountable.
“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,” Monaco said in a statement. “We will work tirelessly to seek Justice for survivors of sexual assault.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tough new penalties for sexual assault by police officers
