Reserve Deputy Accused Of Lying To Grand Jury

A Putnam County reserve deputy, and son of the sheriff, faces three federal charges. 

Andrew “Mo” Fenwick, 24, is accused of lying to a grand jury to protect another deputy.

Fenwick is the son of Putnam County Sheriff Steve Fenwick.

He allegedly interfered with an investigation by giving false testimony of what he knew about the case against Deputy Terry Joe Smith.

Smith is accused of using excessive force on four occasions.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Blackington says Fenwick lied about the degree of force used, seeing a police report on an incident in December, and being hit by one of the people being arrested.

"It sheds a negative light on the conduct of the police and it also undermines, frankly, the respect that police have in the community," he said.  "That's why these cases are so bad."

Fenwick was arrested in Putnam County Tuesday morning.

If convicted, he could serve up to 15 years in federal prison.

"The fundamental obligation that we all have to be truthful whenever we are asked in furtherance of an investigation, that is the public trust that has been violated today," said U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett.  "That is not what the United States Attorney's Office or the FBI will allow to occur."

Charges against Smith are pending and he is set for trial April 28.