WOOD COUNTY, Texas — A federal grand jury indicted a Wood County constable on accusations of ordering his police dog to bite a person who was not threatening.
The indictment states on July 25, Wood County Pct. 2 Constable Kelly Jason Smith, 46, directed his police dog to bite a suspect who did not pose a threat, which resulted in unnecessary bodily injury to the suspect.
Smith could face up to 10 years in federal prison, according to the indictment.
The investigation is ongoing by the FBI Dallas Field Office.
On Friday night, Smith’s legal representatives issued a statement saying that Smith, who is 25-year police officer and U.S Marine, did not commit any crime.
"He was merely doing his job and apprehending an extremely violent individual ..., who had four outstanding fugitive warrants, including felony injury to a child, family violence domestic assault against his wife, and evading arrest," Smith's statement read. "(The suspect) barricaded himself inside his trailer home, failed to comply with officers’ commands, and refused to surrender to the authorities."
The statement continued Smith sustained a broken finger and a knee injury during the incident. He added that his actions were all in compliance with K-9 handler standards.
"This case will be tried to a jury, and we look forward to presenting his defense to the good citizens of East Texas," the statement concluded.