Hall Co. Sheriff's Office deputy faces federal bribery, conspiracy charges

GAINESVILLE - A Hall County Deputy Sheriff has been arraigned on federal charges of accepting bribes and conspiring to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, according to a statement released Friday afternoon by Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Horn. David M. Treadwell, 33, of Gainesville was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday.

Horn said in the statement that on five occasions in late 2014, Treadwell accepted $200 or $300 from a person he believed was a drug dealer. In exchange for the money Treadwell agreed to alert the drug dealer if Treadwell learned that the drug dealer was under investigation in Hall County.

"When a police officer becomes the exception and betrays his badge to protect criminals and promote crime, he undermines the dedication and sacrifices of his fellow officers that allow our citizens to trust and respect law enforcement," said Horn.

"When you have a seasoned deputy sheriff who makes the conscious choice to violate his oath of office and seek illegal financial gain it must be dealt with expeditiously," said Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch.

"I will not tolerate this kind of criminal action and I am thankful for the duty-bound officers who brought these heinous activities to the forefront."

Horn said the case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force that includes members of the Hall County Sheriff's Office.

Couch briefed department members about the firing of the former investigator Friday afternoon, according to a release from the sheriff's office.

"The emotion and disgust in the room today was very heartfelt and full of disappointment. David violated the trust of the community and his fellow employees. The actions of David, undermines the efforts of all law enforcement that honorably
perform their duties," the statement reads.

It goes on to say, "Few crimes are as reprehensible as those committed by police officers who violate the very laws they are sworn to uphold. Furthermore we want the community to know that these actions will not be tolerated and that prosecution will be sought and supported by this agency."