The former City if Hoxie  water clerk, Keri Smith is being charged with theft of more than $20,000 of cash payments made by Hoxie water customers.
The investigation into missing money began when Iberia Bank notified the city when Smith made a deposit that didn’t contain any cash payments. Upon later investigation by Hoxie city officials it was discovered that water customers who made cash payments  had filed complaints about incorrect water bills.
The Hoxie city auditor discovered that cash payments dating as far back to October 2017 were missing, the same month that Keri Smith was hired as city water clerk.
Smith admitted to investigators she took the money which equals $20, 252.94. She also said she used the money for her personal use. Smith was arrested the morning of September 12th. She  posted bail and was released a few hours later.
Smith is ordered to appear in court again on Oct. 3, 2018.