Former Nebraska sheriff sentenced for stolen firearms

A former Nebraska sheriff was sentenced to a jail term and four years of probation after four firearms from his department went missing.

Clinton J. Smith, 43, was sentenced Thursday in Dundy County District Court for a reduced charge of attempted possession of a stolen firearm, a class 3A felony. A second charge of theft valued at $500-$1,500 was previously dismissed as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

Smith was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 48 months of probation. The first 45 days of the sentence was to be served immediately and the remainder after his probation term, though the sentencing order stated that term could be waived by the probation office if Smith satisfactorily completes his probation.

He was also ordered to pay $474.75 in restitution.

In 2023, voters overwhelmingly removed Smith as sheriff in a recall election. He was obligated to turn in all his equipment and firearms at that time.

In the affidavit filed in District Court to obtain a search warrant, an investigator with the Nebraska State Patrol stated the next Dundy County Sheriff discovered four of the department’s Glock pistols were missing from the room where weapons are stored.

The sheriff asked Smith about the missing pistols, but he denied knowing their whereabouts.

A search later conducted by the Nebraska State Patrol located one of the four guns in the former sheriff’s home in Benklemen.

Smith was arrested for theft by unlawful taking and possession of a stolen firearm.