Jasper County, Georgia – On Tuesday, May 2, 2017 the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) arrested former JCSO Deputy Michael Barrett, age 39, on 24 felony counts of Theft by Taking and 1 count of Violation of Oath of Office. Barrett had been employed with JCSO for 3 years. The charges are the result of an investigation which began on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 when Sheriff Donnie Pope requested the GBI to conduct an investigation into evidence issues related to the JCSO evidence room. Through the course of the investigation it has been verified that both money and drug evidence were stolen from JCSO. This investigation is still active and ongoing.

Joe Wooten –Special Agent in Charge | GBI - Milledgeville | 478/ 445-4173