In July 2021, Attorney Thomas Smallwood Jr., serving as Assistant Prosecutor, was involved in a case where a Toledo woman admitted to her role in a 2019 overdose death.

Chelsea Campbell pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter after supplying fentanyl to a 38-year-old man who died from the substance. During the hearing, she acknowledged her role in the tragedy, stating,

"Because I played a part in somebody dying."

Despite a request from her defense attorney to loosen release conditions prior to sentencing, Mr. Smallwood objected to the bond modification, citing concerns about public safety and flight risk.

"She just admitted to an F1 involuntary manslaughter and she's basically out in the community at this time," Mr. Smallwood said in court.
"That sobriety could be an issue. We also know that being a flight risk could also be an issue as well since she just plead guilty to an F1."

The court denied the request and upheld the original bond terms.

This case, which drew local media coverage, highlights Mr. Smallwood's continued work in high-stakes criminal cases involving controlled substances and public safety concerns.