Just the Documented Facts
All information contained in this website has been verified through court documents, news outlets, and other verified sources
About Sheriff Donald Smith
What does AI say about Sheriff Smith and Felix Chujoy
Sheriff Donald L. Smith (Augusta County, VA)
- Current role/tenure: Donald L. Smith is the elected Sheriff of Augusta County, Virginia. He took office Jan. 1, 2016, after being elected in November 2015. Virginia Sheriffs’ Association+1
- Background/bio: County biography and campaign materials say he’s from Augusta County, graduated from Fort Defiance High School, served as a patrol deputy for many years, and rose through the ranks (including SWAT leadership) before running for sheriff. (Official county page/campaign page). Augusta County+1
- Office contact / official listing: Listed in the Virginia Sheriffs’ directory with office PO Box and phone number. Virginia Sheriffs’ Association
- Public communications: The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office maintains an official Facebook page and posts statements and video messages from “the sheriff’s desk.” Facebook+1
- Recent legal / personnel controversies: Multiple news reports (2024–2025 window) note litigation and controversy involving Sheriff Smith:
- A federal lawsuit filed by a former deputy, Dennis Reynolds, alleging workplace retaliation, hostile work environment and seeking millions in damages (reported May 2025). These are allegations in a filed complaint and not proven facts. https://www.whsv.com+1
- Past reporting (2019) described disputes and allegations surrounding Sheriff Smith’s communications and relationship with a person named Felix Chujoy (see below). https://www.whsv.com+1
- A federal lawsuit filed by a former deputy, Dennis Reynolds, alleging workplace retaliation, hostile work environment and seeking millions in damages (reported May 2025). These are allegations in a filed complaint and not proven facts. https://www.whsv.com+1
Augusta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO)
- Jurisdiction & scope: ACSO is the primary law-enforcement agency for Augusta County, covering roughly 1,000 square miles (county web page / Facebook). It runs patrol, detention, SWAT and other typical sheriff’s office functions. Facebook+1
- Public materials: The office posts public safety information, video updates, and community messages on Facebook and on county web pages. Facebook+1
- Notable internal issues reported publicly: beyond the 2025 suit by a former deputy (see above), the office has been the subject of earlier reporting tied to the sheriff’s relationship with an associate who later faced federal charges (described below). https://www.whsv.com+1
Felix Adriano Chujoy (aka Felix Chujoy Alvarado)
- Criminal case / federal appeals: Felix Adriano Chujoy (also referred to as Felix Chujoy Alvarado) has a federal criminal record and an appeal reported by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (opinion dated Apr. 30, 2019). The appellate opinion and related reporting describe criminal charges and convictions (including obstruction/witness tampering related charges among others) tied to a larger federal case. Justia Law+1
- Connection to Sheriff Smith (reported): Multiple news articles and court documents report that Chujoy and Donald Smith were acquaintances going back to roughly 2010 — they reportedly met while in college/workouts and became friends, and the appellate decision documents phone calls in which Chujoy contacted Smith about a third party (these calls are part of the factual record in federal court documents). Those relationships and the sheriff’s role were reported and later questioned in news and legal filings. https://www.whsv.com+1
- Indictments / state charges & fugitive activity: Local reporting (2020) shows Chujoy faced state indictments—examples: a 2020 grand jury indictment on a felony manufacturing a controlled substance charge, and other prior federal cases involving obstruction/witness-tampering. There were reports in 2020 about him being wanted and then turning himself in. Facebook+1
- Civil litigation & allegations involving identity/account misuse: In 2019, press releases and reporting described a civil suit/PR claim alleging that Sheriff Smith and Chujoy improperly used another inmate’s account/identity to evade detection by federal authorities; that suit and press release alleged concealment and misrepresentation. These are allegations from a civil complaint/press release and were widely reported at the time. PR Newswire+1
What the sources say (most load-bearing items) — quick citations
- County/official bio for Sheriff Smith (background, took office Jan 1, 2016). Augusta County+1
- 2019 Fourth Circuit opinion and district-court record referencing calls between Chujoy and Donald Smith as part of the factual record. Justia Law+1
- Local news reporting on the Sheriff’s public statements about Chujoy and related controversies (WHSV, News Leader). https://www.whsv.com+1
- PR Newswire / press reporting on a 2019 civil suit/press claim alleging identity/account misuse involving Smith and Chujoy. PR Newswire
- Recent (May 2025) reporting that a former deputy filed a federal lawsuit against Sheriff Smith alleging workplace misconduct. https://www.whsv.com+1
Plain-language summary / assessment
- Sheriff Donald L. Smith is the elected sheriff of Augusta County (in office since 2016) with a long career in that office. He has public-facing communications and campaign material that emphasize local roots and law-enforcement experience. Augusta County+1
- Felix Chujoy is a person with a documented federal criminal case and state-level indictments; court records and reporting show he and Sheriff Smith had a prior personal acquaintance and that certain communications between them became part of court filings. Several civil suits and news stories have alleged improper actions connected to that relationship — these are allegations and some items are part of federal court records. Justia Law+1
- There are active/ongoing legal matters (e.g., the May 2025 lawsuit by a former deputy). Where suits or complaints are recent, the reporting frames them as allegations in court filings; outcomes may still be pending and should be checked in court records for updates. https://www.whsv.com+1
Want the primary docs or deeper dive?
I can do any of the following next (pick one):
- Pull and summarize the 4th Circuit opinion and the underlying district-court docket (key passages, dates, holdings). Justia Law
- Collect and timeline the news coverage (2018–2025) with dates and links. https://www.whsv.com+2News Leader+2
- Locate public court filings (federal docket numbers, complaint PDFs) and summarize key allegations/claims. Justia Law+1
