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Imagine the internal conflict of having to arrest your own child. Well, that's a very real-life scenario for one Franklin County, Florida Sheriff, A.J. Smith after his 38-year-old daughter was arrested on Monday (4/19/22) on meth trafficking charges.
“You think I like seeing my child in an orange jumpsuit in a jail cell? Of course not,” Sheriff Smith said, who has a reputation for trying to get meth off the streets.
“It’s heartbreaking, the last person you ever want to arrest is one of your family members, especially your child I mean it’s like you can’t even put it into words, I don’t think it’s anything you wish on your worst enemy to do something like this,” Sheriff Smith explained.
Sheriff Smith also said that although the situation is unsettling, he wouldn't be treating this case any differently.
“Meth is one of our number one priorities here at the sheriff’s office to prevent meth use and meth sales and rehabilitation,” Smith stated. “And so our narcotics guys have been working a case and as a result of one arrest we made another arrest that happens to be my daughter.”
Another woman, 25-year-old Bailey Adaire Lee was also arrested on similar charges and was charged with trafficking methamphetamine of 14 grams or over.
Sheriff Smith said that more arrests are expected, as they believe there are more people involved in the trafficking case.