Nebraska authorities have released body cam footage of a bizarre incident involving a mortuary employee who lost his job and ended up behind bars. Ryan Smith, 41, was arrested on charges of attempted burglary, criminal trespassing, and tampering with physical evidence after returning to a dead man’s home for a tryst with a life-sized sex doll.
The incident took place on October 6 when Smith, along with another employee from Mid America First Call, responded to a 51-year-old man’s “natural death” in the town of Chalco. Later that day, Smith contacted the property manager and claimed that the sheriff’s office had asked him to collect a life-sized sex doll for evidence.
However, the property manager refused Smith’s request, finding it suspicious that there were no officers present with him. When investigating a noise coming from the now-vacant apartment, the property manager discovered Smith inside, with his clothing disheveled. The manager promptly alerted the authorities.
Captain Tori Boldt of the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department stressed that the department would never ask for a life-sized sex doll unless it was directly related to a nefarious crime. Boldt also mentioned that upon their return to the scene, investigators noticed items had been moved and called the Douglas County Crime Lab to process the new crime scene and collect fingerprints. DNA samples were also planned to be taken from the doll.
Smith, who has since been released on $500 bail, was not on the clock when he returned to the apartment, according to Justin Dalton, the owner of Mid America First. Dalton stated that Smith was immediately terminated following his arrest.
While the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office stated that there was no indication that Smith had tampered with other crime scenes, they will continue working with the funerary company that employed him.
The circumstances surrounding Smith’s arrest have garnered public interest due to the peculiar nature of the incident. Smith is scheduled to appear in Sarpy County Court on December 4.
Overall, this incident highlights an unusual case involving a mortuary employee’s inappropriate actions and the subsequent legal consequences.
