St Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith, 61, retired on Wednesday after pleading guilty to felony second-degree battery and misdemeanor disturbing the peace for attacking podcaster Bobby Couvillion at a Madisonville steakhouse on May 29. The plea deal included 15 to 18 months of probation and his immediate resignation, ending a 33-year law enforcement career.
Attack at Keith Young’s Steakhouse
According to state investigators, Smith approached Couvillion from behind at the restaurant bar, placed him in a chokehold, and slammed him to the ground. Couvillion, celebrating his 59th birthday with his wife, was then punched and kicked while prone. Smith reportedly said, “I’m going to kill you, you motherfucker.” Medical records showed Couvillion suffered a concussion and two displaced front teeth.
Smith’s tab for himself and his party included 18 alcoholic beverages—five glasses of wine, four vodka martinis, eight vodkas, and one gin—totaling $346. Deputies initially responded but recused themselves; the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation took over.
Plea Deal and Retirement
Smith pleaded guilty to second-degree battery and disturbing the peace by public intoxication. District Attorney Collin Sims confirmed the retirement was a term of the plea. Smith said he decided to retire after “much thought and consideration.” His chief deputy, Bret Ibert, will serve as acting sheriff until a successor is elected.
Smith had been sheriff since July 2016, succeeding Jack Strain, who pleaded guilty to federal bribery and was convicted of child molestation. The sheriff’s office reported $60 million in surplus as of June 2025, and officials hope Smith’s retirement boosts a tax renewal ballot measure generating over $13 million annually.
Accountability and Reactions
Sims stated, “Everyone will be held accountable for their actions, regardless of your title. We treat him like we treat every other citizen.” Couvillion expressed gratitude “that justice was not swept under the rug simply because of who was involved.”
