Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ariana Nicole Hart, 25, faces a felony theft charge over allegations that she took $2,271 in cash and a cellphone from another person. Hart was booked into the Jefferson County Jail, with bond set at $30,000, and remains on administrative leave as the case proceeds.
Hart is charged with first-degree theft of property, according to al.com. The alleged theft occurred June 15. Birmingham police investigated the case, rather than the sheriff's office.
WBRC 6 News also reported Hart's arrest and the theft charge. The circumstances of the allegation beyond the reported date and items have not been detailed in the available accounts.
Administrative Leave and Court Status
Hart has been on administrative leave since the incident came under investigation, and the Jefferson County Commission approved an extension of that leave on July 23, per the same al.com report. The booking record shows she was taken into custody at 11:47 p.m. Sunday.
Hart's first court appearance is set for later this month, according to al.com. Available reporting has not said whether she has entered a plea or retained an attorney.
Other JCSO Deputies Arrested in 2026
WBRC identified Hart as one of at least five Jefferson County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested in 2026. The cases involve different allegations and do not establish the outcome of Hart's case.
One of those cases involved Deputy Robert Nicholas “Nick” Lisle, whom WBRC reported was arrested the previous month in Blount County on charges including human trafficking, first-degree rape, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, and third-degree domestic violence or harassment. Hart's case and the final status and duration of her administrative leave remain unresolved in the available reporting.
How the Charge Is Defined—and Other Deputy Cases
Alabama’s 2024 Criminal Laws define first-degree theft to include property worth more than $2,500 or property of any value taken from another person, according to the Alabama Attorney General. The reported $2,271 cash amount is below the dollar threshold; the law also covers property of any value taken from another person. This definition does not establish that the allegation against Hart is true. Other reported 2026 cases involved different allegations and circumstances. AL.com reported that Hoover police arrested JCSO Deputy Joshua David Nichols in connection with a traffic accident near Patton Chapel Road and Oak Hill Drive; he was booked April 4 and faced drug-related charges. In a separate case, WBRC reported that Deputy Cameron Xavier Lee was arrested April 9 on a charge of using an official position for personal gain and placed on administrative leave without pay.
