Northpinellas: Deputy suspended for violating Web policies

A Pinellas County sheriff's deputy who was disciplined three years ago for allowing a murder suspect to escape is back on suspension for looking at inappropriate Web sites on the job.

An internal affairs investigation revealed that Deputy Robert Smithers, a 22-year jail employee, accessed several risque and R-rated sites from March 13 to April 17.

The Web sites were not pornographic but did contain several seminude photos of actresses and Playboy models.

"Our policy is very clear, " said Marianne Pasha, public information officer. "It's very clear as to what you can't use it (the computer) for."

The 58-year-old deputy admitted to the behavior in a 10-minute interview on May 9.

"I don't have a good reason, " he told Cpl. Lisa O'Mara and Sgt. Michael Armsheimer, who conducted the investigation. "I have no excuse."

Smithers also told the investigators he had just learned in early March that his daughter had cancer and that he was "just trying to make myself think of something else."

A computer technician became suspicious in early April when he noticed a pattern of someone trying to access the Web sites, which are blocked by department filters.

Scott Kostreba, a senior network technician, noted in the report that it was "just a consistent daily thing when he was there, you know, 4:50 in the morning until 6, like clockwork."

In 2004, Smithers and two other deputies were given 15-day suspensions for letting murder suspect Timothy L. Humphrey escape.

Humphrey was on the loose for three hours, after Smithers failed to securely lock the inmate in a van while transporting him from the Hillsborough County Jail to the Pinellas County Jail.

During the interview, Armsheimer asked Smithers if he was ready to say goodbye to his job.

"I hope you're right, " Armsheimer said. "I hope they show some type of mercy on you if you convey that during the board."

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Comments on this article

by Bigdaddy	06/24/07 11:34 PM
To all those who have commented on this incident.If you have not worked in a jail,you would never understand the problems workers have.I find fault in both,cast the first stone if you find yourself completely free of any guilt. Thank God for mercy!!!

by Josh	06/22/07 11:44 AM
To blame the IT or IS staff in this case would be way out of line in my opinion. If he can't show restraint in something as simple as internet use, how should we expect him to handle a gun?

by Nikki	06/19/07 08:31 PM
The officers at this jail are actually deputies and have the same qualifications as road officers. Unfortunately, people seem to think less of them.

by Joe Bob	06/19/07 08:30 PM
Hans and Barbara - how is it the fault of the computer guys that this employee decideded to look at inappropriate material on the job? Should they hold his hand and monitor his work, too? Isn't the deputy an adult who makes his own decisions?

by bob	06/19/07 08:17 PM
1 - IT "professionals" are dorks. 2 - Prison guards are mostly scumbags anyway. 3 - If you are going to get busted for looking at porn at work, at least looks at some seriously freaky stuff. Slow news day today?

by Louise	06/19/07 08:03 PM
It's sooooo easy to blame the employee. Who gave him access to these web sites?? Management?? Computer technician??

by Kenneth	06/19/07 07:31 PM
How many of us would be jobless if the same standards were applied at our work? There's not much on the Internet that isn't rated R.

by gite	06/19/07 07:28 PM
why is this news?

by Touche	06/19/07 05:16 PM
What need is there for computers in a jail? Chains, shackles, bars, watch towers, razor wire, spot lights and concrete should be the only inventory on hand.

by Joe	06/19/07 05:02 PM
It could be worse, he could've mounted a horse

by Kevin	06/19/07 04:08 PM
This really is minor. After all, he's a cop. Do you really expect him to be looking at something intelligent?

by Barbara	06/19/07 03:36 PM
It's stupid to punish this man becuase of inattentiveness on IS' part. These sites can be blocked. If you don't want someone to look at them, don't let them have access. Stupid Sheriffs Office!

by Christine	06/19/07 12:24 PM
Looking at these blogs says alot about Florida - I am glad you think this is all ok that are tax dollar is being spent on this - to bad its a crappy job - he chose it - so he deals with it - it is NOT OKAY>>>

by James	06/19/07 12:21 PM
So the man has a penis. So what? If I could look at a set of boobs at work, than I'm going to do it. Not because I feel it's inappropriate, but because I'm a man and it's what I do. But of course its news because the Times says so. So suspend me too

by steve	06/19/07 11:36 AM
just another screw ball with a badge. fire fighters are true heroes

by Carl	06/19/07 11:16 AM
It is a shame that a jail guard is referred to as a "Deputy," then, people like Lisa think they are real Deputies or Officers. They are jail guards, folks, not cops. Big, big difference. It just "looks better" for headlines in the paper.

by Kelly	06/19/07 10:56 AM
This article is a waste of ink and space. Degrading a public servant of 22 yrs like this, is not good reporting, it is a lynch job. The deputy has given us 22 yrs of his life and his daughter is sick and this is how he is treated.

by Michael	06/19/07 10:53 AM
Nice tactic there by IA. Intimidate during your interview. Those that kiss A$$ certianly do move up in that dept.

by Someone	06/19/07 10:14 AM
They should find out how these jailers actually treat the inmates-not only are the jailers looking at porn but they take that "frustration" out on innocent inmates who are not in for hard crimes! Pasha: look into OTHER things going on in there - Plz.

by Dan	06/19/07 10:08 AM
Isn't it impossible to view sights that are blocked, how was he able to view anything if the filters were working properly.

by Paul	06/19/07 09:44 AM
I got one thing to say: 'Who cares'. Jeeeze, it was 5 am in the morning and he works at a jail. Talk about a crappy job. How is this harming anyone? Its a jail. Big deal, what a complete waste of time/money investigating this.

by Lisa	06/19/07 09:32 AM
Everyday I read something about a Deputy or a Police Officer who has done wrong and its always the ones who have served a long time. I can't get a job because I dont have the credit hours. They should be happy they have a job an not jeapordize it.

by Tony	06/19/07 09:32 AM
Don't blame IT for not preventing someone from trying to access inappropriate. IT guy says someone was trying, block by filters. Did he get to see any of these? We know what he will be doing with extra time off. Publix has lotion and tissues on sale.

by pj	06/19/07 07:45 AM
hans...IT is not a babysitting service, IT can block out these web sites but don't blame them for this mans actions...IT professionals always get blamed for other peoples mistakes. USER ERROR!!!!

by Hans	06/19/07 07:14 AM
Are the sites blocked or not by the filter? If not, that's failure on the part of IT as well. IIRC, they use Websense, which could easily block the content & protect the user from himself, Not saying it's right or wrong, but their IT failed bigtime.

by JoeLunchbucket	06/19/07 06:59 AM
Not the worst offense imaginable, but glad to see the S.O. is enforcing their internal rules. As to his admission, he should have left it as "I have no excuse". Throwing in his daughter's medical condition was low-class.

Deputy suspended for violating Web policies

Officials say the deputy visited R-rated Web sites daily at work, for more than a month.