State Launches Investigation Into North Florida Sheriff Over Arrest Of Mistress

GREEN COVE SPRINGS (CBSMiami/AP) — A first-term Florida sheriff is being investigated for an incident involving his mistress.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels, who called dispatch to request back-up because he was being followed and was in fear for his life.

The Florida Times-Union reports the agency confirmed Wednesday that it has been investigating Sheriff Daniels since May.

Officials say the person who was following him was his mistress of six years, a corrections officer with the nearby Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Daniels told deputies to arrest Cierra Smith.

She was released six hours later after a decision was made to release her because deputies had no probable cause.

Agency spokeswoman Gretl Plesinger tells the newspaper the case had been under review but "recently moved to the investigative stage."

Daniels, a first-term sheriff, has expressed aspirations of becoming a congressman.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)