SWANNANOA, NC — Mark Anthony Smith, 56, a licensed emergency medicine doctor from Jacksonville, Florida, was arrested on Oct. 31 for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of donated supplies meant for victims of Tropical Storm Helene. According to police reports and arrest warrants, Smith is accused of cutting into a donation tent belonging to Dave Graham’s nonprofit, Hearts Hurt, stealing various items, and even damaging a cot by urinating on it.
Smith allegedly stole more than $12,000 in donated goods, including sleeping bags, camping stoves, generators, heaters, tote boxes, and paint, as well as personal items belonging to Graham. Following the theft, Smith reportedly sold some of the items at Alan’s Jewelry and Pawn in Asheville for cash.
Detectives searching Smith’s U-Haul discovered the stolen donations, as well as $2,000 in personal items belonging to Graham. Smith also allegedly pawned several of the items, and Graham later recovered some of the stolen goods through pawn shop tickets and the sheriff’s office.
Smith’s arrest followed an investigation that began after Graham noticed suspicious behavior from Smith, who had been volunteering and providing supplies to the Swannanoa and Black Mountain areas. According to Graham, Smith, who claimed to be from Florida, had shown up at odd hours and acted strangely, leading him to suspect Smith was taking items from the donation station.
Justin Sigmon, Smith’s court-appointed attorney, declined to comment extensively on the case, stating that it was still early in the process and he had not received all the case details from the state. Sigmon did mention, however, that Smith’s role in the community involved providing supplies to the local areas before his arrest.
Smith, who is also listed as working for NaphCare, a private healthcare provider for the Duval County Jail, faces multiple charges including theft and criminal conspiracy. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Smith’s bond was reduced to $50,000 on Nov. 1, and he posted bond on Nov. 5, securing his release from jail.
