TYLER, Texas -- Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith posted bond Monday on charges of official misconduct and arson, and then returned to his daily duties as chief law officer of the east Texas county.
'I am shocked.
I can't discuss it,' Smith said.
Officials said Smith returned to patrolling the county and looking for suspects in the slaying last week of Trisha McRoy, 11, whose kidnapping created nationwide sympathy for her family, especially her nearly blind father who depended heavily on the girl.
Authorities said Smith was released on a $7,500 bond.
The head of the 50-member department was indicted Saturday on charges of official misconduct, attempted arson and a lengthy list of other accusations.
Smith allegedly doused a car belonging to Charles Everett Wintters with gasoline and tried 'to light a match for the purpose of igniting the said gasoline,' the indictment charged.
The 18-count official misconduct charge alleged Smith, who has been sheriff for nearly five years, used Smith County vehicles and gasoline for his personal use.
Smith, the first Republican sheriff in the county this century, also was accused of making numerous personal trips to Louisiana in a county car and making numerous personal long distance telephone calls for which the county picked up the tab.
Under state law, an indictment is not sufficient to require a sheriff be suspended from elected office.
However, District Attorney Hunter Brush filed petitions he hoped would lead to Smith's immediate suspension and eventual removal from office. The motions were filed in court but there was no indication when a ruling would be made.
