MARIETTA, Ga. — A Cobb County deputy recruit has been arrested by the very agency that hired him following an investigation into an unknown incident.
The sheriff's office confirmed Deputy Sheriff Recruit Thomas Wayne Drake Jr. was arrested around 10 a.m. on Wednesday for violation of oath by a public officer and conspiracy to commit a felony. Both are felony charges.
According to the incident report, the Cobb County Sheriff's Office was informed of alleged contraband bring brought into the jail. Authorities decided to launch an investigation.
Under Georgia law, an officer convicted of violating their oath of office will be imprisoned for at least one year and as many as five.
Criminal attempt to commit a felony falls into two categories depending on the severity of the crime. A crime that would be punishable by death or life imprisonment, if attempted, would carry a sentence of one to 30 years.
A conviction for an attempted felony of a lesser level is punishable by not less than one year and not more than half the sentence or fine they would have received had they actually committed the crime.
"It is my expectation that our employees uphold their oath of office. To have a former deputy sheriff recruit that willfully violated his oath and betrayed the public trust is extremely disappointing," Sheriff Neil Warren said in a statement. "We are working closely with prosecutors and I will see to it that this former employee is held accountable."
Drake, a Douglas County resident and North Carolina native, is listed as still in custody at the Cobb County jail. The sheriff's office said the investigation is still underway.
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