Former Cookeville Officer Arrested For Alleged Cattle Theft

A former Cookeville Police officer landed behind bars Wednesday.

An Overton County grand jury returned indictments this week charging Shannon Smith with two counts of theft of property. Court documents accuse Smith of taking 17 calves from an Overton County resident on or about November 19.

Officials with the Cookeville Police Department said Smith resigned from the force on Tuesday. The department placed the former sergeant on paid administrative leave November 21 after he self-reported the criminal investigation.

Authorities booked Smith into the Overton County Jail Wednesday morning. He left the jail after posting $10,000 bond. Smith will appear in court for an arraignment hearing on February 12 in Overton County.

The indictment lists the Tennessee Department of Agriculture as a witness in the case. 15th Judicial District Attorney General Tom Thompson will prosecute after 13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway recused himself due to a personal relationship with Smith.

Authorities also arrested Christopher Hayes Wednesday morning. An indictment accuses Hayes of taking the same number of calves from the same victim on or about November 19. He’s also charged with two counts of theft of property.