Former Oklahoma Police Officer Convicted of Sexual Assault and Obstruction of Justice

Former Savanna Oklahoma Police Officer Jeffrey Scott Smith, 35, was convicted yesterday by a federal jury for sexually assaulting a woman during a traffic stop and obstructing justice by turning off his body-worn camera and dash camera. This landmark case marks the first conviction under the enhanced penalties of the 2022 Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized the Justice Department's commitment to holding accountable those who abuse their authority by engaging in sexual assault. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke underscored the gravity of sexual assaults perpetrated by law enforcement officers and pledged to seek justice for all victims of these crimes.

According to evidence presented at trial, on Nov. 2, 2022, during his first solo shift for SPD, Smith conducted a traffic stop and subsequently sexually assaulted the victim, K.H., after deactivating his body-worn and dashboard cameras. Smith faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison for the civil rights count and an additional 20 years for each obstruction of justice count.

The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office led the investigation with support from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Clay Compton and Nicole Paladino, alongside Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division, are prosecuting the case.

This conviction sets a precedent for accountability in cases of sexual assault involving law enforcement officers and reinforces the Justice Department's commitment to protecting the rights and safety of all citizens.