Hall Co. Sheriff's Office responds to former jailer's allegations

GAINESVILLE - A former Hall County Sheriff's Deputy claims he was fired for ministering to the inmates, but the Sheriff's Office says otherwise.<br /> <br /> According to a release from the office, Deputy Joshua McCuen voluntarily resigned. McCuen was a probationary employee who had been with them for eight months.<br /> <br /> The release states that McCuen had previously been reprimanded for insubordination and performance of duty issues, including a ignoring a direct order from his supervisor about the handling of an inmate. The statement said the Sheriff's Office offered him the option of resigning, or being terminated for his poor performance.<br /> <br /> McCuen told Channel 2 that he was told to either resign or be fired after he started a bible study group for the inmates. <br /> <br /> However, the Sheriff's Office statement begs to differ: "When McCuen submitted his letter of resignation he not only thanked the Sheriff's Office for 'such a grand opportunity to work for such a great agency' but also asked that 'God shine his favor, and love on the agency.' These are remarkably different sentiments than what he shared with the media."<br /> <br /> Sheriff Gerald Couch responded to the accusations as well. His statement is below:<br /> <br /> "I am a strong supporter of our jail church programs. We typically have over 20 pastor's visit our jail per week and numerous religious services are conducted there. Bibles or other religious materials are readily available to any inmates who make such a request. <br /> <br /> "McCuen's actions and not his religious beliefs led to his resignation. Religion was never the focus of the Sheriff's Office concerns, but simply his poor job performance. I have a strong Christian faith and neither I nor anyone at the Sheriff's Office would ever persecute someone for their faith, whatever that may be. <br /> <br /> "McCuen's resignation letter certainly does not reflect any negativity or persecution by the Sheriff's Office and in fact thanks us for the opportunity to work for such a great agency. In this case we have multiple policy violations committed by a probationary employee who subsequently resigned and after some reflection on his part now appears to be using religion as justification for his improper actions. In the world we live in today our Christian values, and sharing them, are more important than ever. <br /> <br /> "While McCuen may not have left under the best of circumstances I do wish him the best in his latest endeavors and sincerely hope he helps spread the word of God as he has claimed. "<br /> <br /> A previous story is linked below.<br /> <br />