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Former JSO officer, current News4Jax analyst arrested for allegedly soliciting prostitute

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A former Jacksonville Sheriff's Office employee is in the Duval County Jail after being accused of soliciting a prostitute near a convenience store at the 3700 block of Philips Highway.

According to a JSO report, Gilbert "Gil" Smith, 57, approached an undercover officer and asked them for oral sex in exchange for $20.

Smith was taken into custody at 7:22 p.m. on Thursday. He declined to make a statement, JSO said.

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Smith is well known in the community as a former public information officer for JSO and has been working as a crime and safety analyst for Jacksonville's Channel 4 since 2014.

Smith served the community as a JSO officer for 26 years.

On Friday, Smith waived his first appearance in court.