Fired Habersham jail employee facing new charges

A former employee of the Habersham County Sheriff's Office who was arrested in October 2023 is now facing new charges alleging he had sexual contact with a female inmate.

A release Monday from the Habersham County Public Information Office said Alexander Wayne Hardaway, age 30 of Alto, was recently issued new charges by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The charges are for second degree improper sexual contact and violation of oath by a public officer.

Hardaway was fired by the sheriff's office in September 2023 before ultimately being arrested amid a GBI investigation into a complaint from an inmate at the Habersham County Detention Center.

“Any breach of trust or misconduct by my personnel will not be tolerated,” Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell said.

Hardaway was released from jail on bond Friday.