Lima firefighter charged with DUI, resisting arrest

A recently hired firefighter, still under probation with the Lima Fire Department, pleads not guilty to four charges including resisting arrest.  

26 year old Deborah Smith of Lima was arrested early Saturday morning by deputies with the Allen County Sheriff's Office.  Smith pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lima Municipal Court to resisting arrest, drinking and driving, running a stop sign, and having expired license plate tags.  

Chief Deputy Jim Everett, of the Allen County Sheriff's Office, says Smith was at the corner of Cole and Latham in Lima when deputies saw her run a stop sign.  Deputies conducted a field sobriety test, however, Smith refused to take a breathalyzer test.  

Everett says Smith resisted when deputies attempted to put her in the back seat of a cruiser.  She was tazed and maced.  

Smith was hired by the Lima Fire Department in March.  Chief Mark Heffner wouldn't speak on camera about the arrest but says Smith is still in her probationary period with the fire department.  The department is conducting an internal investigation which Heffner says is not complete.  Smith is currently on paid administrative leave.  Her case was forwarded to Judge RicKard Workman in Lima Municipal Court.  Further court dates have not been scheduled.