St. Tammany sheriff who beat a critic keeps his pension and may see the felony cut
On May 29, 2026 St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith, who had been drinking, attacked Bobby Couvillion, a parish resident, blogger and frequent critic, at a Madisonville steakhouse; surveillance video captured it, and Couvillion suffered a concussion and displaced front teeth. The Louisiana Attorney General's Office investigated. On June 24 Smith pleaded guilty to second-degree battery and disturbing the peace through public intoxication and resigned under the deal; Chief Deputy Bret Ibert became interim sheriff. The misdemeanor sentence was suspended, and the court can reduce the felony to simple battery if Smith completes an 18-month specialty court treatment program. District Attorney Collin Sims said the case will not affect Smith's pension and that the victim and the AG's office were satisfied with the resolution. Couvillion said justice was served.
Sims said the case will not impact Smith's pension.
Smith also pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace by public intoxication.
Said retiring was in the best interest of the agency, his family and the public.
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