Bret Ibert Takes Over As Interim Sheriff Pending A Special Election
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith resigned Wednesday after pleading guilty in connection with a May 29 attack at Keith Young’s Steakhouse in Madisonville, according to the District Attorney’s Office and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. The resignation placed one of the parish’s most prominent law enforcement offices into a temporary leadership period and put Bret Ibert in charge while voters wait for a special election. The case has drawn heavy public attention because it involved an elected sheriff, a felony plea and an incident reported at a familiar Northshore restaurant.
District Attorney Collin Sims said Smith pleaded guilty to one felony count of second-degree battery and one misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace by public intoxication. The DA’s office said the case stemmed from an incident at the restaurant that left Robert “Bobby” Couvillion with a concussion and dental injuries. Those charges gave the case serious legal weight because second-degree battery in Louisiana generally involves intentional injury that causes substantial harm or requires significant medical attention.
Smith received a two-year hard labor sentence under the plea agreement, but that sentence was suspended. He was placed on two years of supervised probation and ordered into a Specialty Court program, according to the DA’s office. The office said that if Smith successfully completes the program and all probation conditions, the court could later reduce the felony conviction to misdemeanor simple battery, which would change the long-term legal status of the conviction but not erase the public record of the case.
The Sheriff’s Office announced Smith’s retirement was effective June 24, 2026. The agency said Bret Ibert was appointed interim sheriff and will lead the office until a special election is held to fill the remainder of the term. Ibert’s appointment gives the agency immediate leadership during a sensitive transition, especially as the office continues daily work involving patrol, jail management, investigations, civil process, tax collection and parishwide public safety coordination.
The Sheriff’s Office previously said Smith was arrested June 4 after the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office issued warrants charging him with second-degree battery and disturbing the peace counts tied to the restaurant incident. Local television outlets, citing court records and the plea agreement, reported that Smith agreed to resign no later than 1 p.m. on the day the guilty pleas were entered. That timing connected the criminal plea and the leadership change closely together, making the resignation a central piece of the broader public fallout from the case.
Local reporting on the plea agreement said surveillance video and witness statements were important to the case. Those reports said Smith approached Couvillion from behind, pulled him from a bar stool and struck him until others intervened. A second man, Gregory Saurage, was also arrested in the broader case and accused of helping set up the confrontation, adding another serious layer to the investigation and raising additional questions about what happened before the attack.
Smith’s resignation ends a long law enforcement career that included service as St. Tammany sheriff and earlier time as Slidell’s police chief. His departure leaves one of the parish’s most visible public offices in transition, with the sheriff’s office now operating under interim leadership until voters choose a replacement. The change also creates a new political timeline for the parish, since a special election will determine who serves out the rest of the term.
Why This Matters In Slidell
Slidell residents have a direct stake in the leadership change because the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office plays a major role in law enforcement, jail operations, tax collection and parishwide public safety coordination. Agency leadership can influence policy direction, staffing priorities, budget decisions, deputy morale and public trust across the parish. Smith’s earlier service as Slidell police chief also gives the case added local relevance for residents who remember his previous role in city law enforcement.
The case arrives during a period when many Northshore residents are watching law enforcement accountability and public agency stability closely. A sheriff’s office transition can affect more than internal leadership because residents often look to the agency during emergencies, criminal investigations, storm response, parishwide patrol needs and major public safety decisions. State law points to a special election rather than a permanent appointment because more than a year remains in the term, giving voters a direct role in deciding who leads the office next.
Sources
- St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office: Sheriff Pleads Guilty To Second Degree Battery And Disturbing The Peace Charges
- St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office: STPSO Announces Leadership Transition
- St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Homepage
- Louisiana State Legislature: Law On Filling Vacancies And Special Elections
- FOX 8: St. Tammany Sheriff Pleads Guilty, Agrees To Resign
- FOX 8: Interim St. Tammany Sheriff Sworn In After Randy Smith Resigns
- WWL Louisiana: Randy Smith Pleads Guilty To Second-Degree Battery After Restaurant Attack, Says He’ll Retire
- WWL Louisiana: Interim St. Tammany Sheriff Vows Stability After Randy Smith Resignation
- The Guardian: Louisiana Sheriff Retires After Pleading Guilty To Beating Podcaster Who Often Criticized Him
Angela Knight is a seasoned journalist with a deep-rooted passion for covering the vibrant local business scene in Slidell, LA. Her expertise lies in spotlighting the unique stories of local entrepreneurs and keeping her finger on the pulse of the latest business news and trends within the community. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to impactful storytelling, Angela’s articles serve as a vital resource for residents and business owners alike, offering insights, updates, and inspiration. Her work not only informs but also celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and community engagement that define Slidell’s business landscape.