Sheriff Resigns After Guilty Plea in Restaurant Assault
Randy Smith, the former sheriff of St Tammany Parish, Louisiana, retired on Wednesday after pleading guilty to second-degree battery and disturbing the peace for attacking a podcaster who had frequently criticized him. The plea deal, which included 15 to 18 months of probation, effectively ended his four-decade law enforcement career.
Smith, 61, admitted to assaulting Bobby Couvillion on May 29 at Keith Young's Steakhouse in Madisonville. According to investigators, Smith approached Couvillion from behind, placed him in a chokehold, and slammed him to the ground. He then punched and kicked Couvillion while he was on the floor, with Couvillion reporting Smith said, "I'm going to kill you, you motherfucker."
Details of the Incident and Arrest
The attack occurred on Couvillion's 59th birthday, as he sat at the bar with his wife. Smith had consumed 18 alcoholic beverages that afternoon, with a tab of $346. Couvillion suffered a concussion and two displaced front teeth. Deputies from Smith's own office responded but recused themselves, and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation took over. Smith was arrested on June 4 on charges of second-degree battery and disturbing the peace.
Bail bondsman Gregory Saurage was also arrested for allegedly pointing out Couvillion and encouraging Smith to attack him. Saurage is accused of driving Smith away afterward.
Legal Proceedings and Plea Deal
Six local judges recused themselves from the case before Judge Reginald Badeaux accepted the plea. Smith pleaded guilty to felony second-degree battery and misdemeanor disturbing the peace by public intoxication. His retirement was a condition of the plea deal, according to District Attorney Collin Sims. Sims stated, "We didn't want to have special treatment of the sheriff. We treat him like we treat every other citizen that commits an act like that."
Impact on the Sheriff's Office
Chief Deputy Bret Ibert will serve as acting sheriff until a successor is elected. The office has a $60 million surplus as of June 2025. Officials hope Smith's retirement will boost support for a tax renewal ballot measure that generates over $13 million annually for the sheriff's office.
Couvillion expressed gratitude that "justice was not swept under the rug simply because of who was involved." Smith's apology, issued after his arrest, did not name Couvillion but referred to "personal attacks directed at me by an individual who hides behind a computer screen."
