SOUTHPORT, N.C. – After more than three months of paid leave, Southport Police are back on duty Monday as their now-former police chief faces multiple corruption charges.

• Southport Police are back on duty.
• Former Police Chief Gary Smith and Lt. Michael Simmons are facing felony conspiracy charges.
• The pair is accused of working for a trucking company when they were supposed to be patrolling the town.

This comes after then-Chief Gary Smith and Lieutenant Michael Simmons were accused of working at a trucking company while on the clock for the town.

The entire department was placed on leave following the surfacing of the allegations and the Brunsiwck County Sheriff’s Office was tasked with protecting the area.

Smith and Simmons are facing charges for felony conspiracy to obtain property under false pretenses.  

If convicted, they face up to three years in prison.