Former deputy charged with computer crime still working with county computer system

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New information tonight about a story you saw FIRST ON 3 last night. A former new hanover county deputy who quit his job in the face of an internal investigation now faces criminal charges for illegally accessing government computers. All the SBI will tell us is what’s on the arrest warrant, which says Charles Graham Smith Jr. was arrested Monday and charged for using a government computer to print someone else’s DMV information to get into a night club.

Right now, Smith works for New Hanover County Government in the IT department. Ironic as he’s charged with illegally accessing a government computer. Smith resigned as a corporal in the Sheriff’s Office in May a couple weeks after Sheriff Ed McMahon asked the SBI to look into Smith. He then worked at the jail before landing his current job with the county.

We called both the human resources department and the county manager to see why Smith is still employed after being arrested.

“I know details I can’t tell you about ’cause it’s a personnel matter. I’m going to sound real defensive, and I don’t want to do that,” County Manager Bruce Shell said. “That’s really all I can say.”

Shell also said he believes Smith is innocent until proven guilty. When asked if he believes it’s appropriate to let Smith work in the IT department, he said he had no comment.

Reached by phone at work this afternoon, Smith said though he wishes he could tell his side of the story, he’ll let his attorneys get everything straightened out before speaking his peace.