KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, IN – A candidate for the office of sheriff in Kosciusco County, Indiana is facing criticism tonight after it was learned that his son, accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl won’t be facing sex crimes charges.
Zachary Smith, who was 18 at the time of his arrest was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl. He also gave a group of young girls marijuana, margaritas, and ‘moonshine’, according to reports.
According to the complaint, Smith and his friends took the young girls to a storage unit in North Webster with the intention to get them drunk and take advantage of them.
Smith’s father, Jim Smith is a deputy with the sheriff’s department and is running for Sheriff as a Republican. Some say for that reason, the younger Smith is receiving special attention.
“I did not participate in the investigation or attempt to influence it in any way, publicly or privately… As a father, I will always love and support my son, but I will not support or excuse any actions he may take that violate the law or cause harm to others,” Smith said in response to those allegations.
His mother works in the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, so the case has been moved to nearby Whitley County.
His son is now facing battery and public nuisance charges, despite having sex with the minor.
This story was originally reported by ABC 57.