Smith County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Detention Officer

TYLER — A Smith County Detention Officer was arrested Wednesday after investigators received a tip that Officer Lance Watson was bringing contraband into the jail and distributing it to numerous inmates. Specified items were found inside the pods of those inmates. When Watson came in on Wednesday evening, he was quickly approached. A look through Watson’s lunch box revealed 6 hamburgers with several items of contraband and a cellphone that had been “sandwiched” in between the buns.

Watson was arrested on a charge of Prohibited Substance within a Correctional Facility. Bond set a $75,000. Watson was transported to another facility outside of Smith County for safety and security reasons. Sheriff Smith, who was present during a majority of the “shakedown and subsequent investigation” stated as follows. “There are but few criminal acts that I can think of that are viler than when a law enforcement or detention officer violates the trust of our citizens. Both, we and the public expect those in the law enforcement profession to be held to a higher standard. We have sworn to protect and defend. Acts such as this tarnishes the badge and erodes the public’s trust. Justice will prevail.”