ST. CLAIR COUNTY — Sheriff Terry Surles arrested one of his part-time jailers, Surinthia Simmons, Friday morning, charging her with theft of property and forgery. "I have zero tolerance for thieves, especially one working for me," Surles said.
Surles said Simmons, a jailer with the department for nearly two years, is accused of stealing $720 from an inmate who was arrested Sept. 15. The money, which was what the inmate had on him when arrested, was placed in a drop box that day, like usual.
However, on Sept. 18, Simmons allegedly forged the inmate’s mother’s name on a release form and took the money. She dated the release for Sept. 17, a day she didn’t work, to cover herself.
"There definitely was some thought that went into this," Surles said. "Our bookkeeper found we were missing the money, and so we knew it on Sept. 20."
Surles said investigators confirmed the mother didn’t take the money because she wasn’t on the jail’s videotape.
"Everyone that comes in the jail is videotaped," Surles said.
After investigator Randy Hurst found it was Simmons who took the money, she signed a statement admitting to the crime.
Surles said Simmons told investigators she was behind on her bills and needed the money.
"It makes me sick, but I owe it to the public to do this," Surles said.
Since beginning his first term in 1999, Surles said he has arrested three jailers.
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, with a branch in Pell City and one in Ashville, has 20 full-time jailers and six part-time jailers, said jail administrator Terry Marcrum.
Simmons began as a casual jailer who worked as needed by the department and then moved up to a part-time position. She would have been granted a full-time position Friday, Surles said.
"We’ve changed how we’re doing things now," Surles said. "It’s going to be a disadvantage to me and everybody, but it’s needed. In any future case like this, the money will remain in the drop box over the weekend until Monday morning unless a captain accesses it. No jailers will be dealing with it."
Simmons was released shortly after her arrest, posting $2,500 bond on each charge Friday.
