Deputy to quit as Sheriff clarifies demotion

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A clarification to a story we reported last night about the demotion of a corporal at the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Ed McMahon received a criminal complaint about Charles Smith, the department’s former public information officer, and asked the SBI to investigate. Cpl. Smith was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by the SBI, but the investigation continues.

An internal investigation by the Sheriff’s Office resulted in Smith’s demotion to deputy. Internal investigations cover violations of policy within the sheriff’s office. We’re told Dep. Smith is in the process of resigning from the Sheriff’s Office.