A sheriff in Florida has had to make the ‘heartbreaking’ decision to have his own daughter arrested on suspicion of trafficking methamphetamine.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said Kristen Kent, 38, and Bailey Adaire Lee, 25, were arrested after a narcotics team conducted an investigation.
Kent, the daughter of Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith, was charged with amphetamine traffic or methamphetamine 14 grams or over, drug equipment possession and or use, and cocaine possession, while Lee was charged with two counts of amphetamine traffic or methamphetamine 14 grams or over.
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Speaking to WJTV earlier this week, Smith explained: “We did a controlled buy with my daughter and she delivered 2 ounces and that’s when she was arrested.”
He added: “You think I like seeing my child in an orange jumpsuit in a jail cell? Of course not.”
Smith is known for trying to get meth off the streets in Franklin County, but said arresting your own child was something nobody would want to wish on anyone.
“It’s heartbreaking, the last person you ever want to arrest is one of your family members, especially your child,” he said.
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“I mean it’s like you can’t even put it into words, I don’t think it’s anything you wish on your worst enemy to do something like this.
“But again, my commitment to the community is to prevent people from getting access to these terrible drugs. Drugs that ruin families. Here’s a prime example of what it does to our communities, what it does to our families, what it does to our friends and it’s heartbreaking.”
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Smith said it is believed more people are involved in the trafficking case, and that further arrested are expected.
He added: “Meth is one of our number one priorities here at the sheriff’s office to prevent meth use and meth sales and rehabilitation. And so our narcotics guys have been working a case and as a result of one arrest we made another arrest that happens to be my daughter.”
A statement on the Facebook page for Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said: “Methamphetamine does not discriminate and neither do we. It does not matter who you are – no one is immune or exempt.”
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It continued: “Franklin County Sheriff’s Office conducted a narcotics investigation that led to the arrests of Kristen Kent, 38, and Bailey Adaire Lee, 25.
“Kent is charged with amphetamine traffic or methamphetamine 14 grams or over; drug equipment possession and or use; cocaine possession. Lee is charged with two counts of amphetamine traffic or methamphetamine 14 grams or over.
“Our hearts break over the grief meth causes all - whether you use it, sell it or or love someone who is involved with it."
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Jess Hardiman