On Sunday at approximately 6:03 p.m., Champaign County Sheriff’s deputies working at the Champaign County Fairgrounds were advised that St. Paris Police Chief Eric D. Smith, age 50 of Conover, was openly carrying a firearm with his police badge while off-duty.
Deputies went to locate Smith and tell him to return his firearm to his vehicle or to leave the Champaign County Fair.
At approximately 6:19 p.m., deputies located Smith in the area of the rides/midway of the fairgrounds. Upon locating Smith, his firearm and St. Paris Police badge were clearly visible.
At the time that Smith was carrying his firearm and his badge, he was not working in any capacity nor had any jurisdiction at the Champaign County Fair.
Smith was directed to return his firearm to his vehicle or to leave the fair. Smith refused, stating that it was “bull—-t” and that he was not going to return his firearm to his vehicle and that he was going to continue carrying it while at the fair.
Smith was then advised that it was a direct order from Sheriff Matt Melvin that if Smith was not working as a law enforcement officer at the fair, then his firearm needed to be returned to his vehicle.
Smith again refused.
A short time later, Smith was again spotted by other deputies in the area of the rides/midway and he was still openly carrying his firearm and his badge.
It was at this time that Smith was arrested and transported to Tri-County Regional Jail.
He was charged with Obstructing Official Business in violation of section 2921.31 and Criminal Trespass in violation of section 2911.21 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Smith pleaded not guilty during his initial arraignment in Champaign County Municipal Court on Monday. The arraignment was continued to Aug. 20 in order for Smith to obtain counsel. The court ordered the firearm, magazine and ammunition to be returned to Smith.
Smith was appointed police chief of St. Paris on April 5, 2021. He is a graduate of Eastern Ohio Law Enforcement Academy in Bethesda, Ohio, according to information from the Village of St. Paris.
Details submitted by the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office
