A high-ranking Wyoming judge who once served prison time for drug dealing has shared how her time behind bars transformed her life.

According to Daily Mail, Terri Smith, 39, a former Wind River Tribal Court head judge, said she was happier in jail after being arrested for distributing oxycodone and cocaine in 2019.

Terri Smith, once at the helm of the Wind River Tribal Court in Wyoming, led a double life that came crashing down in 2019. Appointed as the head judge at a young age, a dark secret marred Smith's promising career—her involvement in trafficking oxycodone and cocaine.

Tragic Loss Led Smith to Addiction

Smith’s descent into the drug trade began tragically with the death of her boyfriend in 2007, an event during her undergraduate studies that led her to abuse pain pills.

Her addiction escalated over the years, even as she advanced in her legal career. After attending law school, she joined a private law firm where she represented the Northern Arapaho tribe, later becoming the chief judge when the tribal courts merged.

Unknown to her colleagues, Smith and her sister sourced drugs from Utah to sell within Fremont County and the Wind River Indian Reservation.

The facade lasted until the FBI initiated an investigation in 2018, leading to her startling arrest while eight months pregnant in early 2019.

The Arrest and Its Immediate Aftermath

Following her arrest, Smith faced the justice system from the other side as a defendant. In 2019, she was sentenced to six months in prison, followed by an intense probation period. During this challenging time, Smith reassessed her life and the choices that led her astray.

“I'd rather be here in this jail cell than being an addict out there,” Smith disclosed in an interview, revealing the extent of her addiction. “I was a slave to that. I was.” Reflecting on her past during her incarceration, she recognized the destructive cycle of addiction that controlled her life.

The months Smith spent in confinement became a period of intense self-reflection and transformation. She embraced the routine and stability that prison life provided, starkly contrasting her previously chaotic existence fueled by addiction.

Path to Recovery and Making Amends

Upon her release, Smith’s journey to amend her past began earnestly. Her probation included six months under house arrest with an ankle monitor.

During this period, she took up a job at a local Holiday Inn as a room cleaner, an experience she found humbling and enlightening. “I was so proud of myself when I got it... I never had to do that type of work, and I have so much appreciation for it now,” she recalled.

Smith’s transformation did not go unnoticed. Her probation officer recognized her efforts, leading to an early conclusion of her supervised release.

By this time, Smith had already begun channeling her experiences into helping others, working as a peer support specialist on the Reservation.

With her past legal troubles behind her, Smith now focuses on her role as a support specialist and rebuilding her life with her sons, aged nine and five.

“I get up and I’m thankful for every little thing I have—a bed, a pillow, a shower, and just being next to my kids. I know what it’s like to not have them,” she shared.

Why This Story Matters

This narrative is significant because it not only highlights personal redemption but also sheds light on broader issues like the opioid crisis affecting Indigenous communities. It underscores the complexity of human character and the potential for change, serving as a beacon of hope for those similarly battling addiction.

In conclusion, Terri Smith’s ordeal from a respected judge to a felon and her resurgence as a community guide embodies not only her redemption but also the potential for societal healing. It serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversities and positively transform even in the face of despair.