Fmr. Smith County sheriff's deputy pleads not guilty to drug charges

Former Smith County Sheriff's deputy Kimbrick Jones pleaded not guilty to five counts Tuesday in United States District Court.

Jones, 38, was arrested in the sally port area of the Smith County jail on July 10.

He faces five charges: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and less than 28 grams of cocaine base, possession with intent to distribute less than 50 grams of methamphetamine, use and carry of a firearm related to a drug trafficking crime (2 counts) and possession with intent to distribute less than 28 grams of crack cocaine.

Smith County Sheriff Smith says Jones had drugs in his patrol car. Officials would not say if he was collecting drugs while on duty, but don't believe anyone else is involved.

Jones has been with the sheriff's department since June 2004. He was promoted from detention officer to patrol deputy in 2006. He had previously served with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office as a jailer from 1997-1998 and the Smith County Sheriff's Office as a jailer from 1998-2001.

Jones is being held in the Gregg County Jail until a pre-trial hearing in October.

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