Off-duty St. Paris Police Chief, Eric Smith, was arrested at the Champaign County Fair for refusing to leave with a firearm after being instructed to do so.

Off-duty St. Paris Police Chief Eric Smith was arrested at the Champaign County Fair for openly carrying a firearm with his police badge, despite not working at the event. Deputies from the Champaign County Sheriff's Office instructed him to return the firearm to his vehicle or leave the fair, but he refused, leading to his arrest on charges of obstructing official business and criminal trespass. Smith was later taken to Tri-County Regional Jail.

August 05, 2024
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