How did it happen? A convicted criminal that was supposed to be sent to prison was accidentally released back into the community. The Nash County Sheriff's Department admits to releasing 23-year-old Ricky Jerome Smith from jail. Lawmen say jailers misread his paperwork and released Smith on supervised probation, instead of sending him to prison to serve his sentence. Authorities say while free, Smith robbed a Nash County bank and attempted to rob a Wilson County bank. Smith was caught a shortly after. The Nash County Sheriff's Department has apologized. At least two jailers now face disciplinary actions.
