White, Georgia – On Wednesday March 2, 2016, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested City of White Police Chief David King, age 58, and Police Officer Blake Scheff, age 26, on charges of false imprisonment under color of legal process, theft by extortion, and violation of oath by a public officer.  The arrests follow an investigation that was initiated by GBI on October 28, 2015 at the request of the Bartow County District Attorney’s Office.  Additionally, search warrants were executed at the police department and city hall on January 21, 2016 by GBI and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

King and Scheff are accused of arresting individuals on fabricated charges and reducing the criminal charges to a citation thereby collecting fines. These incidents occurred between December 2011 and April 2015.  King and Scheff were booked into the Bartow County Jail and will be released on bond.  The individual charges for King and Scheff are as follows:

David King:

Count 1: OCGA 16-5-42 False imprisonment under color of legal process: On 4/25/15 Lois Kitchens was arrested in Bartow County for cruelty to children in the 1st, a crime she did not commit. Chief King advised Officer Blake Scheff to swear out the warrant.

Count 2: OCGA 16-5-42 False imprisonment under color of legal process: On 3/31/12 Brittny Brown was arrested in Bartow County for felony deposit account fraud, a crime that she did not commit.

Count 3: OCGA 16-8-16 Theft by extortion: On 4/22/15 Chief King advised Officer Blake Scheff to speak with the Kitchens’ family about accepting a disorderly conduct citation instead of swearing out state warrants. Nigel Brett, Lois Kitchens’ husband, was told that the family could accept a disorderly conduct citation, pay $1,000 fine, and White PD would not pursue felony state warrants against Lois Kitchens for cruelty to children in the 1st.

Count 4: OCGA 16-8-16 Theft by extortion: On 12/31/11 Brittny Brown was told that she could accept a disorderly conduct citation, pay $1,000 fine, and White PD would not pursue felony state charges against Brittny Brown.

Count 5: OCGA 16-10-1 Violation of oath by public officer: Between the dates of December 2011 and April 2015 Chief King violated his oath of office when he committed theft by extortion and false imprisonment.

Blake Scheff:

Count 1: OCGA 16-5-42 False imprisonment under color of legal process: On 4/25/15 Lois Kitchens was arrested in Bartow County for cruelty to children in the 1st, a crime she did not commit. Officer Scheff had sworn out the arrest warrant at Chief King’s request.

Count 2: OCGA 16-8-16 Theft by extortion: On 4/22/15 Nigel Brett, Lois Kitchens’ husband, was told by Officer Scheff that the Kitchens could accept a disorderly conduct citation, pay $1,000 fine, and White PD would not pursue felony state warrants against Lois Kitchens for cruelty to children in the 1st.

Count 3: OCGA 16-10-1 Violation of oath by public officer: On 4/22/15 Officer Scheff violated his oath of office when he committed theft by extortion and false imprisonment

The criminal investigation is ongoing and upon completion will be turned over to the Bartow County District Attorney’s Office. 

Contact Information:

Greg Ramey, Special Agent in Charge (706)624-1424