Sheriff's Jail Guard Charged With Misconduct

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami/AP) - A Broward Sheriff's deputy assigned to the Main Jail is accused of falsifying records.

Oreth Smith, 35, reportedly spent his shifts on his cellphone instead of conducting security checks.

Smith was arrested Tuesday following an investigation that also showed he falsified inmate head count records at the Broward County Jail. He's been charged with official misconduct and introducing contraband into the jail.

Broward Sheriff's spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright said Smith has been now suspended without pay.

An arrest report says an inmate complained that Smith wasn't conducting checks or head counts. His supervisors then watched surveillance videos to confirm the allegations. It's against the agency's policy for deputies to have personal cell phones in the jail.

Smith was released on bond.