The GBI has arrested and charged Towns County Sheriff’s Office Major John McCoy with Theft by Deception, Violation of Oath of Office, and three counts of False Statements and Writings and former deputy Andrew Glass on Theft by Conversion, Violation of Oath of Office and False Statements.
The investigation of McCoy began last July at the request of Enotah Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Joy Parks who wanted a probe of a theft allegation in the accountability court program.
McCoy, a sworn law enforcement officer, was hired as a surveillance officer for the accountability court program. Part of his duties required home visits with accountability court participants. During a review of these home visits, discrepancies were identified, according to the GBI. The subsequent investigation led to the charges against McCoy.
The investigation of Glass began a month ago at the request of Towns County Sheriff Anthony Coleman who wanted an independent investigation into two guns missing from the Towns County Sheriff’s Office gun inventory.
The investigation led to the recovery of one of the missing guns and Glass’ arrest.
In October, former sheriff Ken Henderson was indicted on a number of charges growing out of a confrontation with a Hiawassee police officer. Henderson had been suspended by Gov. Brian Kemp as a result of that incident.
In addition, the same grand jury indicted former deputy Austin Bradburn on charges related to making false statements about a December 13 shooting in which he was wounded. Bradburn has also been indicted in Union and Hall counties on charges of making false statements.
