Former Pott County deputy accused of faking a 2021 chase and police-involved shooting

A Pottawatomie County sheriff's deputy has resigned after becoming embroiled in a web of lies. The former deputy was recently arrested and allegedly faked an officer-involved chase and shootout with an armed suspect. Pottawatomie County prosecutors charged Taylor Smith, 30, with a misdemeanor count of false reporting of a crime.

Bob Mills Sky News 9 flew over the crime scene in September 2021. Sheriff Mike Booth of the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office remembered the day well.

“It was a very hot day and they were in the woods for a while,” Booth said.

Officers and several other agencies were searching for a suspect, then Deputy Smith claimed he shot him.

“He returned fire and reported it,” Booth said. “We can only hear what's going on over the radio.”

According to court documents, Smith claimed he was involved in a chase with three suspects in a red car shortly before the shooting. Smith could be seen driving on his knees and looking at his phone to check the locations of other officers. Smith then claimed a suspect jumped out of the car with a long gun and began a foot pursuit. The next officer in the area caught up to Smith and said he never saw a red car.

Deputy:

“Did you say he had a long gun?”

Blacksmith:

“Yes, he had a long gun.”

Booth called off the search and called the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Agents found no evidence of a chase or foot pursuit. In addition, authorities said Smith's body camera did not show a red car, a suspect with a long gun, or any gunshots from a suspect.

“They didn’t find anything,” Booth said.

Booth said that when Smith was confronted with the evidence, he became angry and resigned. Smith left the company shortly after the investigation began.

Investigators also checked with citizens in the area and surveillance cameras at private homes. The sheriff said the video did not show a red car, only Smith's work truck.

There is no indication why Smith fabricated the crimes.