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Federal authorities tight-lipped on grand jury investigation
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By Emily Goodson
Local and federal investigators, prosecutors and attorneys continue to reveal little information about the status of a federal grand jury investigation of Camden County Sheriff Bill Smith.
The federal investigation, which began earlier this year, started after Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents completed their own investigation into Smith's use of inmate labor and turned their final report over to District Attorney Stephen Kelley. Kelley then delivered the report to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta.
Kingsland attorney Jim Stein said he represents several people who were called as potential witnesses in early 2008. Though their hearings have been rescheduled, Stein said he knows the grand jury was slated to meet several months ago.
"I know that they were scheduled to meet in Savannah," he said.
The federal grand jury's investigation into Smith concerns his use of federal seized drug assets, monies returned to his department after being seized from drug dealers, in addition to inmate labor.
Stein was one of three people who saw sheriff's office trusties working last summer on private property on Cumberland Island National Seashore.
The property, owned by retired physician Ben Jenkins, was the site of an addition to Jenkins' house that was slated to be used by the Atlanta-based Shepherd Center, a nonprofit organization that treats patients with spinal cord injuries.
Smith's son, Blake Smith, was paralyzed in an April 2003 car accident on Harrietts Bluff Road.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta declined to comment on whether a grand jury was investigating Smith. Smith and Lt. William Terrell, public information officer for the sheriff's office, were unable to be reached for comment before press time Tuesday.
Federal grand juries release little to no information about their activities. Kelley said the legal process at the federal level differs from that of the state level.
Grand juries at the state and county levels hear evidence from district attorneys then decide if enough evidence exists for an indictment. If so, the jury issues an indictment and an investigation is conducted.
The process is reversed at the federal level, Kelley said. Federal grand juries hear presentments and conduct investigations before issuing indictments.
"They're looking for probable cause to indict somebody," he said.
The requirements to be a federal grand jury member include being a United States citizen, being at least 18 years old, residing primarily in the judicial district for one year, having never been convicted of a felony and not being subject to current felony charges.
Members of the armed forces, professional fire and police departments, and public officers with local, state or federal governments are exempt from federal jury service, according to www.uscourts.gov. Federal grand juries comprise a maximum of 23 members.
The federal investigation, which began earlier this year, started after Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents completed their own investigation into Smith's use of inmate labor and turned their final report over to District Attorney Stephen Kelley. Kelley then delivered the report to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta.
Kingsland attorney Jim Stein said he represents several people who were called as potential witnesses in early 2008. Though their hearings have been rescheduled, Stein said he knows the grand jury was slated to meet several months ago.
"I know that they were scheduled to meet in Savannah," he said.
The federal grand jury's investigation into Smith concerns his use of federal seized drug assets, monies returned to his department after being seized from drug dealers, in addition to inmate labor.
Stein was one of three people who saw sheriff's office trusties working last summer on private property on Cumberland Island National Seashore.
The property, owned by retired physician Ben Jenkins, was the site of an addition to Jenkins' house that was slated to be used by the Atlanta-based Shepherd Center, a nonprofit organization that treats patients with spinal cord injuries.
Smith's son, Blake Smith, was paralyzed in an April 2003 car accident on Harrietts Bluff Road.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta declined to comment on whether a grand jury was investigating Smith. Smith and Lt. William Terrell, public information officer for the sheriff's office, were unable to be reached for comment before press time Tuesday.
Federal grand juries release little to no information about their activities. Kelley said the legal process at the federal level differs from that of the state level.
Grand juries at the state and county levels hear evidence from district attorneys then decide if enough evidence exists for an indictment. If so, the jury issues an indictment and an investigation is conducted.
The process is reversed at the federal level, Kelley said. Federal grand juries hear presentments and conduct investigations before issuing indictments.
"They're looking for probable cause to indict somebody," he said.
The requirements to be a federal grand jury member include being a United States citizen, being at least 18 years old, residing primarily in the judicial district for one year, having never been convicted of a felony and not being subject to current felony charges.
Members of the armed forces, professional fire and police departments, and public officers with local, state or federal governments are exempt from federal jury service, according to www.uscourts.gov. Federal grand juries comprise a maximum of 23 members.
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