The second Escambia County deputy accused of having sex with a minor is on trial in Circuit Court. Opening statements in the case against Mark Gene Smith began yesterday. He is accused of having sex with several minors ages 16 to 17, between July 2014 and Feb 2015. Smith’s attorney, Barry Beroset (“Ba-Ros-Set”) questioned why it took so long for the victims to come forward and why they lied the first few times they were interviewed by police. On August 5th, former Sheriff’s deputy Walter Thomas was convicted of sex crimes for his actions against one of the same victims. His sentencing is scheduled for October 17.