AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Ronald Smith, brother of Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith, pleaded guilty to one count of felony drug possession in Staunton Circuit Court on May 6, 2025. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the other charges against him and suspended his full two-year sentence. Smith, 42, must now serve two years of probation.

The case stems from an incident in October of 2023 in which Smith crashed his vehicle near Churchville Avenue and tried to flee from police. He was eventually restrained and taken into custody. Smith was then found to have a glass smoking device and nearly three grams of methamphetamine, which resulted in the felony drug charge.

Smith is better known for a December 26, 2023, incident in which he allegedly stole a semi-truck from his brother’s property and led authorities on a chase that ended with threats to injure deputies as they approached the vehicle. Trial in that case is scheduled for September 18-19.