GAINESVILLE - Hall County Sheriff's Office officials said a Hall County Jailer has been arraigned on federal charges of accepting bribes and smuggling contraband into the jail while working there.
19-year-old Austin Herring of Gainesville was arraigned by a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Friday. He had been employed by the sheriff's office since last November.
According to the sheriff's office, Herring allegedly delivered what he believed to be illegal drugs to an inmate on several occasions for money.
"It’s shameful to see a young man deliberately decide to break the law and potentially put his co-workers at risk for his own personal profit. While jailers are entrusted to provide safety and security for inmates, this person made the decision to betray his oath of service. We will not tolerate these actions and will continue to hold our personnel accountable according to the letter of the law," Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch said in an email statement.
Authorities said state charges against Herring are pending.
The case is being handled by the FBI and the North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force, that includes members of the Hall County Sheriff's Office.
Saturday
April 27th, 2024
6:52PM
