Oglethorpe County sheriff’s deputy charged with misconduct with female prisoner

By Joe Johnson

A jailer with the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested following an investigation into alleged misconduct with a prisoner.

Zachariah Smith, 33, of Elberton, was charged by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with providing contraband to the inmate and violating his oath of office.

The GBI launched a probe Tuesday upon receiving a request from the sheriff. The investigation was prompted by reports from other jail staff about Smith’s possible inappropriate conduct with a female inmate.

According to the GBI, the investigation confirmed that Smith had engaged in misconduct with the inmate and had provided her with contraband earlier this month.

Smith was booked into his former place of employment following his arrest.

The case will be handed over to the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution once the investigation is complete.