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Salina Man Pleads Not Guilty to Two Counts

November 9, 2026 Paid Members
Salina Man Pleads Not Guilty to Two Counts

James Lee Smart entered a not guilty plea November 6, 2026 in Saline County District Court to aggravated assault and aggravated battery, according to court records.

A no-contact order was filed in the case July 2.

Salina311 previously reported that, according to Salina Police, officers responded at approximately 2:15 p.m. on June 29, 2026, to the Budget Host Motel, 222 E. Diamond Drive, following a report that a subject had pointed a firearm at an employee.

Investigators determined that two motel maintenance workers were attempting to locate the source of a plumbing problem when they observed water flowing from underneath the door of an occupied room. The workers knocked on the door and advised the occupant that they needed to enter the room to check the issue. Police said the occupant, identified as 70-year-old James Lee Smart of Salina, did not immediately answer the door.

After approximately 20 minutes, Smart opened the door and allegedly placed the barrel of a rifle directly in the face of one of the maintenance workers, a 64-year-old Salina man.

According to the report, the worker grabbed the barrel of the rifle and pushed it back toward Smart, causing him to fall to the ground. The worker then secured the firearm and contacted law enforcement.

Officers arrived and took Smart into custody without further incident. Smart was transported to the Saline County Jail and booked on requested charges of: •Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon •Aggravated battery Authorities also discovered Smart had two outstanding Salina Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear. No injuries were reported during the incident.

The next hearing on the court calendar is an under advisement on December 18, 2026 at 5:00PM.

Salina311 previously reported on the case when the charges were filed.

Charges are allegations unless a conviction or guilty disposition is entered by the court.

Earlier coverage


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