1. Drugs prescribed to deceased individuals
2. Medications found in former coroner’s possession.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A former employee of the coroner’s office in Aiken County, South Carolina, has been charged with multiple crimes after being found in possession of drugs that were prescribed to individuals whose deaths he had investigated.
Alton Jeffery Smith, a 60-year-old resident of Aiken, was charged with misconduct in office and possession of a controlled substance by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Smith, who previously held the position of chief deputy coroner at the Aiken County Coroner’s Office, was with the office from September 22, 2018, through June 10, 2023.
During a search of Smith’s home on June 10, 2023, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered drugs that were not prescribed to Smith or any other resident of the property. These drugs, including Percocet EQ, oxycodone-acetaminophen, zolpidem tartrate, and alprazolam, were linked to death investigations that Smith had been involved in.
According to an arrest warrant, Smith failed to document the medications seized from the death investigations he had responded to, including the drugs found in his possession during the search of his home.
Smith was subsequently booked into the Aiken County Detention Center and is set to be prosecuted by the 2nd Circuit Solicitor’s Office. If convicted on the drug charge, which is listed as a first offense, Smith could face a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a £1,000 fine.
The charge of misconduct in office carries a maximum penalty of one year behind bars and a £1,000 fine under South Carolina law.
As of Tuesday morning, Smith was not listed on the jail’s inmate roster, and details about his bond status were not available.
Conclusion
The case of Alton Jeffery Smith highlights the serious consequences of misconduct in office and the illegal possession of controlled substances. It serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards in positions of public trust.
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drugs prescribed to deceased individuals
ex-deputy coroner possession.
