Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Threat Management Section

Garrett James Smith (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 1/06/2000
Address: 1484 East Lake Woodlands Parkway, Oldsmar
Charges: 3 Counts of Make/Possess/Discharge Destructive Device and Loitering and Prowling
 

PINELLAS COUNTY – On Thursday, January 6, 2022 at approximately 7:30 p.m., deputies arrested 22-year-old Garrett Smith for three counts of Make/Possess/Discharge Destructive Device and Loitering and Prowling.

According to detectives on January 6, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., a protest was taking place in front of the Pinellas County Justice Center located at 14250 49^th Street North in Clearwater in reference to the incarceration of 47-year-old Jeremy Brown. Brown is currently being held in the Pinellas County Jail on federal charges stemming from the January 6, 2021 incident at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. A federal judge ordered Brown held without bond pending trial. Brown is housed at the Pinellas County Jail under a US Marshal Warrant.

At approximately 7:24 p.m., deputies in the area observed a male, later identified as Smith, dressed in all black clothing, a face covering, and carrying a black backpack, running away from the direction of the protest. Deputies caught Smith at 144^th Avenue North, west of 46^th Street North in Clearwater.

Deputies conducted an investigation and arrested Smith on a charge of Loitering and Prowling. After the arrest, deputies searched the backpack, where an explosive device was located, along with additional items. Deputies searched the area and no additional explosive devices were located. During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for Smith’s residence, where they located more explosive devices.

Sheriff Gualtieri described Smith as a “sleeper” stating, “Those are the ones that are most concerning and the hardest to figure out.”

Detectives say Smith has no criminal history. Smith resides at home with his mother and father in Oldsmar.  

Detectives have yet to determine why Smith possessed the explosive devices or what he intended to do with them.

Sheriff Gualtieri held a press conference on January 7, 2022, to discuss the circumstances surrounding Smith’s arrest. The full press conference can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-91oLNln_QE

The investigation continues.