St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith has resigned from his 10-year post after pleading guilty to charges of second-degree battery and public intoxication. The conviction stems from an incident last month where Smith admitted to drunkenly assaulting a critic at Keith Young’s Steakhouse in Madisonville.
According to reports, Smith, who had consumed multiple alcoholic drinks, approached Bobby Couvillion from behind at the bar. Couvillion, described as a regular critic of the sheriff, was allegedly grabbed by the neck, pulled to the ground, and punched repeatedly by Smith. The assault was stopped by bar staff and patrons.
Couvillion sustained a concussion and damage to his front teeth as a result of the attack, according to a medical report detailed in Smith's arrest warrant.
As part of a plea deal, Smith agreed to resign on Wednesday. He was sentenced to two years of probation. District Attorney Collin Sims stated that Smith remains eligible to collect his pension. "He acted out, and as a result of that sobriety issue, we're giving him an opportunity and a path that we afford every other citizen in this parish to earn a misdemeanor if they address the issue that caused it," Sims said.
Couvillion expressed that justice had been served for the residents of St. Tammany Parish and the State of Louisiana following Smith's guilty plea and resignation.
Investigators also allege that St. Tammany Parish bail bondsman Gregory Saurage pointed Couvillion out to Smith at the bar and gestured for the attack. Saurage has been charged with being a principal to second-degree battery.