A Florida sheriff known for cracking down on illegal drugs had to arrest his own daughter on suspicion of trafficking methamphetamine.
According to DailyMail, Kristen Kent, 38, was arrested on Monday afternoon by deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.
Smith told WMMB News;
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,’ Sheriff Tony ‘A.J.’ I don’t think it’s anything you wish on your worst enemy to do something like this.
The bust took place when deputies from Smith’s unit conducted a ‘controlled buy,’ that involved Smith’s daughter, the Miami Herald reported.
‘She delivered 2 ounces and that’s when she was arrested,’ Smith said, in part.
Kent faces charges of trafficking methamphetamine of 14 grams or over, drug possession or use, and cocaine possession, according to the sheriff’s department.
During the sting operation, deputies first arrested a different woman, but when officers asked the woman who supplied her with the drugs, she revealed it was Smith’s daughter.
Bailey Adaire Lee, 25, was also arrested and charged with trafficking methamphetamine of 14 grams or over on Monday.
Both women who were being held at Franklin County Jail posted bail on Tuesday, a clerk from the Franklin County Clerk’s office told the DailyMail.com.
Kent posted bond at $25,000 and Lee posted bail at $50,000, she said.
Smith talks to community members about how to approach family members who have been impacted by addiction, in his quest to get meth off the streets. He describes addiction as ‘heartbreaking.’
‘Drugs that ruin families. Here’s a prime example of what it does to our communities, what it does to our families, what it does to our friends,’ Smith added, McClatchy News reported.
The well-respected sheriff said he will use the same tough-love approach with his daughter that he advocates for with other families affected by methamphetamine.
Smith expressed;
The last thing you want to see is your child in an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs on. Methamphetamine does not discriminate & neither do we. It does not matter who you are, no one is immune or exempt,’ Smith wrote on Facebook. ‘Our hearts break over the grief meth causes all, whether you use it, sell it or love someone who is involved with it.
Smith stated that he believes there are more people involved in the trafficking case and that more arrests are expected, a report said.
Smith’s personal experience drew support from many in the community he serves.
One person wrote;
Talk about transparency. This had to difficult for all involved and just proves how committed FCSO is to eradicating this drug.
