Meet our leaders
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is led by a dedicated and experienced command staff committed to ensuring the safety and security of the community.
Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith, at the helm of the department, brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to his role, overseeing all operations and setting strategic priorities for the office.
Supporting him is Undersheriff Carl J. Rust, who plays a critical role in managing departmental functions and assisting in the execution of the sheriff's vision.
The jail administration is expertly managed by Jail Administrator Robert Barbuti, who is responsible for the oversight and operation of the county's correctional facility, ensuring it meets all regulatory standards and provides a secure environment for inmates and staff.
On the road, Lieutenant Justin C. Smith leads the patrol division with a focus on maintaining public safety, enforcing laws, and responding to emergencies across the county.
Lieutenant Chad Kretser oversees the corrections division with a strategic approach, ensuring that all aspects of the facility run efficiently and in accordance with legal and regulatory standards. His leadership and experience are vital to the success of the corrections team.
Together, this command staff exemplifies dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to serving the residents of Montgomery County.
Sheriff
Jeffery T. Smith
Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith began his career with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in November 1988. He has risen through the ranks of the Sheriff’s Office, holding the positions of Correction Officer, Deputy Sheriff, K-9 Deputy, DARE Instructor, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Undersheriff and now Sheriff.
Sheriff Smith holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, is a Graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, is a certified Police Instructor, a certified Crisis Negotiator and a member of the Fort Plain Volunteer Fire Department/Past Chief. He also served as the Montgomery County STOP-DWI Coordinator and the Montgomery County Director of Emergency Services.
Undersheriff
Carl J. Rust
Undersheriff Carl Rust brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. A lifelong resident of Montgomery County, Undersheriff began his career in 1986 as a correction officer with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and worked as a loss prevention officer. In 1988, he started working at the Amsterdam Police Department as a patrol officer after graduating from the Zone 5 Police Academy. Throughout his career at the Amsterdam Police Department, he rose through the ranks, serving as a K9 handler, patrol sergeant, and administrative sergeant.
He is certified as an ethical awareness instructor and has been a member of the emergency response team, scuba team leader, K9 examiner, and K9 maintenance trainer. Undersheriff is also a valor award recipient, recognized for his bravery and dedication to duty. After a distinguished 31-year career with the Amsterdam Police Department, he retired and joined the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office as the Undersheriff.
The Undersheriff is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys exploring the natural beauty of our region. His deep roots in Montgomery County and passion for public service make him an invaluable leader in our mission to protect and serve. With many years of law enforcement experience, our Undersheriff is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.
Jail Administrator
Robert Barbuti
Jail Administrator Robert Barbuiti has been employed by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office since 1995.
Since becoming part of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, He has served in the roles of Corrections Officer, was the first appointed jail correction officer K-9 handler, which during this time, was certified in Narcotics, Patrol and Tracking. He then held Corporal, Sergeant and Lieutenant positions within the jail and is currently serving as the Jail Administrator.
In addition to his Jail Administrative duties, He is a Volunteer Firefighter of the Tribes Hill Fire Department for over 35 years, currently serving as 1st Captain. Also served as an Emergency Medical Technician during his earlier years of volunteer work.
Lieutenant
Justin C. Smith
Lieutenant Justin Smith is a lifelong resident of Montgomery County who has dedicated his entire adult life to emergency services. Lt. Smith started at the Sheriff’s Office in 2013 as a 911 Dispatcher. In 2015, Lt. Smith was hired as a Deputy Sheriff for the patrol division and attended the Zone 5 Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy where he became certified by New York State. Through his tenure on patrol, Lt. Smith worked all different shifts and started rising through the ranks. Lt. Smith was promoted to K-9 Handler in 2019 where he was partnered with a German Shepard named Bud. Lt. Smith was then promoted to Sergeant in 2020 where he was a first line supervisor on the night shift. Lt. Smith was then promoted to his current position in 2024.
Lt. Smith has many credentials that assist him in his daily operations as Lieutenant. The most notable training is when Lt. Smith attended the FBI National Academy Session 292 in Quantico, Virginia. This prestigious academy is for law enforcement executives and focuses on supervision and special investigative strategies. Lt. Smith is also a NYS Certified Paramedic with over 15 years of EMS experience.
Lt. Smith is certified as a Police Instructor, Marine Law Enforcement, Snowmobile Law Enforcement, Field Training Officer, numerous incident command courses, Animal Cruelty Task Force, and numerous other law enforcement related courses. Lt. Smith has also been in the volunteer fire service for over 20 years and currently is an Assistant Chief with the Fort Plain Fire Department.
Leading all five divisions of the Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Smith takes great pride in providing a quality service to the citizens of Montgomery County. His extensive experience in Police, Fire, and EMS equips him with the expertise to effectively manage the crucial day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office.
Lieutenant
Chad Kretser
Lieutenant Chad Kretser began his career in corrections in 2009 at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. That same year, he graduated from Zone 5 Corrections Academy. Over the next ten years, he gained valuable experience as an Officer and decided to further his role by accepting a supervisor position. In 2019, he was promoted to Corporal, where he spent the next 5 years learning how to manage the jail population and the staff under his supervision. In 2024, he was promoted to Lieutenant. He is a dedicated professional who is committed to continuous growth and strives to expand his knowledge and skills daily . Lieutenant Kretser works closely with administration and supervisory staff to ensure a safe and secure environment for both the staff and incarcerated individuals at our facility.