MADISONVILLE — St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith, who was arrested Thursday in an “unprovoked attack” on a man sitting at the bar in a Madisonville steak house, had a $346.21 tab at the restaurant that included 18 drinks, his arrest warrant said.
It’s not clear from the warrant how many people that tab at Keith Young’s Steakhouse included, although the warrant does say the total was for drinks and food.
The warrant said Smith’s tab included five glasses of Walking Fool wine, four Happy Hour vodka martinis, seven Tito’s vodkas, one Tanqueray gin and one Ketel One vodka.
St. Tammany deputies initially responded to the restaurant about 4:30 p.m. after several people called 911 to report a brawl. Callers said one man had put another man in a “chokehold,” the warrant said.
While deputies were on their way to the restaurant, they learned that the fight involved “an off-duty law enforcement officer,” the warrant said. When a deputy arrived, she learned that the off-duty law enforcement officer was her own Sheriff Smith and that he had left the restaurant before deputies arrived.
Because the sheriff was the suspect, the sheriff’s office contacted the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, which is an arm of the Attorney General’s Office, and asked them to take over the investigation. Those investigators arrived about two hours after the fight. They interviewed witnesses, got Smith’s restaurant bill and examined surveillance video from the bar area of the restaurant.
In it, Robert “Bobby” Couvillion was sitting at the bar with his wife. Smith came up behind him “lunging towards Couvillion, with Smith’s left foot leaving the ground and his right arm clubbing Couvillion’s neck before wrapping the choke hold,” the warrant said.
Couvillion was pulled backward off his bar stool and his face and head hit the floor.
“While on the ground, Smith, according to Couvillion, punched and kicked him in the face and body with his boots,” the warrant said.
Couvillion said Smith said “I’m going to kill you, motherf—–,” and “you’re a dead motherf—–,” according to the warrant.
Couvillion told investigators the threats, coupled with Smith’s status as sheriff, made him fear for his life, the warrant said.
Several people in the restaurant jumped in to try to “pull Smith off Couvillion,” which blocked the security cameras from capturing exactly what happened at that point, the warrant said.
“It should be noted that following a review of the restaurant’s video surveillance footage this attack appeared to be unprovoked by Couvillion with Smith attacking him from behind with no warning or signs,” the warrant said.
Couvillion went to the hospital where he was treated for a “level two concusion” and other injuries, including “displacement of his front teeth,” the warrant said.
Couvillion told investigators that Smith smelled strongly of booze at the time of the attack. That and the restaurant bill “suggests that Smith’s alleged intoxicated state contributed to his actions,” the warrant said.
Sheriff Randy Smith did issue a statement via the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office regarding the incident:
I would like to begin by publicly expressing a heartfelt apology to the citizens of St. Tammany Parish; the dedicated men and women of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office; the owners, staff and patrons of Young’s Steakhouse; and anyone else affected by this incident. To my family, and especially my wife, Adele, I apologize for the stress and burden caused to them by this situation.
As an elected public official and as a lifelong public servant, I fully understand and accept the fact that with this position comes not only great responsibility but also heightened public scrutiny. I understand and respect that the actions I take as Sheriff are open to examination, question and criticism. I accepted this fact when I put on the badge, and I know that it is one of the unfortunate aspects of public service. All law enforcement officers know and accept this, as they also know and accept the daily threat to their personal safety. It comes with the job.
Another unfortunate aspect of public service is the effect such public scrutiny and criticism can have on one’s family. This too, is accepted and endured by the family…to an extent.
For the past ten years I have ignored hundreds of personal attacks directed at me by an individual who hides behind a computer screen. His actions were direct and intentional. As Sheriff, I have ignored the attacks, threats and lies directed at me. As a husband and father, the continued and worsening public harassment of my wife, the false statements against her and the body shaming of her are not only despicable, but unacceptable. Seeing the frustration and pain caused to your wife and family is something much harder to ignore.
In closing, I would like to thank our friends, family and the many citizens of St. Tammany Parish who have reached out with prayers, encouragement and support during this difficult time. Your kindness and compassion means more to my family than words can adequately express. To the men and women of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, keep your heads up and continue to perform the excellent work you always do.
As I continue through this, I want to make a few things very clear. Actions have consequences. I will fully address my actions through the legal process. While doing so, I remain committed serving the citizens of St. Tammany Parish as your elected Sheriff.
Respectfully,
Sheriff Randy C. Smith
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