An off-duty officer, identified as Eric Smith, was arrested on Sunday evening, for openly carrying a firearm at the Champaign County Fairgrounds.
At approximately 6:03 PM, deputies on duty at the fairgrounds received reports of Smith carrying a firearm and displaying his police badge, despite not being on duty or having jurisdiction at the event.
Deputies located Smith around 6:19 PM in the rides/midway area of the fairgrounds where his firearm and badge were visible.
Deputies instructed Smith to return his firearm to his vehicle or leave the fair, as he was not authorized to carry it while off-duty at the event.
Smith refused, expressing his dissatisfaction and stating he would continue to carry his firearm.
Despite being informed that Sheriff Melvin had issued a direct order to comply, Smith declined to follow the instructions.
Smith was later spotted again at the fairgrounds still carrying his firearm and badge.
At that point, deputies arrested him for obstructing official business and criminal trespass.
He was trespassed from the Champaign County Fair for the remainder of the event and transported to Tri-County Regional Jail.
Smith faces charges of Obstructing Official Business and Criminal Trespassing and is a St. Paris Officer.
