>> HOUSING AUTHORITY THEFT
A Putnam County woman who was arrested in August 2022 was accused by federal authorities recently, according to records from the U.S.
Attorney’s Office in Macon.
Jennifer Kay Smith, 49, of Rockville Road, Eatonton, was charged on Sept. 30 by information to one count of federal program theft. Smith, a former employee of the Baldwin County Housing Authority, is accused of stealing $548, 419.07 from the BCHA. Smith handled all of the Housing Authority’s financial and payroll accounts.
Being charged “by information” is not the same as being indicted because there is no grand jury involved.
“A federal charge is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law,” said Melissa Hodges, public affairs director of the US Attorney’s Office.
“Therefore, Ms. Smith has in no way been convicted of any crime… and the Court has not ruled on her case. She is only facing an accusation. This is the first step in the judicial process.”
Smith, who is currently not incarcerated, will be in Middle Georgia’s Federal Court on Monday, Oct. 30 for her first appearance hearing before a judge, Hodges said. There Smith will be informed of her charges, asked if she understands them, and advised of her basic rights. Following the initial hearing, the prosecuting and defense attorneys will share information and evidence, Smith will have the opportunity to enter a plea, and a trial date will be set.
If convicted, Smith will have to forfeit the stolen money, or if it’s no longer available, then her personal money or substitute property equivalent to the amount stolen, according to the Information Document signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Deitrick.