Major Beth Darnell, who oversees the Rabun County Detention Center and Court Services operations, appointed as "Acting In-Charge"
Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols, 45 of Clayton, was arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) on Violation of Oath of Office as well as other charges related to an ongoing investigation.
While under investigation, the charges exclude Nichols from operating in his role as sheriff.
On Friday afternoon, Major Beth Darnell, who oversees the Rabun County Detention Center and Court Services operations, was appointed as "Acting In-Charge," according to a news release from the Rabun County Sheriff's Office.
Nichols turned himself in to authorities and was booked into the Rabun County Detention Center May 31, according to a press release from the GBI.
Nichols was booked on three criminal warrants issued by a Senior Superior Court Judge -- Violation of Oath of Office, a felony; sexual battery, a misdemeanor; and public indecency, a misdemeanor, according to a press release from George R. Christian, district attorney for the Mountain Judicial Circuit.
Nichols is currently running for re-election and is listed on the ballot for the June 18 runoff against Republican challenger Mark Gerrells, who is the former training director for the Rabun County Sheriff's Office.
According to the GBI press release, Christian asked the GBI to investigate an incident involving Nichols.
"The warrants were issued after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Region 8, began an investigation of reported criminal conduct by Sheriff Nichols, said criminal conduct is alleged to have occurred in May 2024," according to the press release from the district attorney's office.
"Bond was set at a total of $32,500 and included many conditions of bond, including that he shall not directly or indirectly, be involved in and/or direct any law enforcement activities in his personal capacity or his capacity as Sheriff of Rabun County," according to the district attorney's office.
The investigation is active and ongoing, according to the GBI.
"As this criminal matter remains in an investigative state, as the prosecution is ongoing, and consistent with the Bar rules for the State of Georgia there will not be any further statement concerning this case," according to the district attorney's office press release.
According to the GBI, once the investigation is complete the case file will be given to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution.
"All individuals charged with violation of criminal statutes are presumed innocent until such time that they are convicted at a jury trial or enter a plea of guilty and thereafter are sentenced by the Court," according to the district attorney's office press release.
"The Rabun County Sheriff's Office did not comment due to it being an ongoing GBI investigation," said Kevin Angell, investigation and public information officer for the Rabun County Sheriff's Office.
The Rabun County Board of Commissioners released a statement regarding the incident.
"The Board of Commissioners of Rabun County is aware of the arrest and charge of the Rabun County Sheriff. The Board will gather information and react as appropriate. The GBI and Governor's Office is aware of the situation," according to the statement.
The Rabun County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting on Monday, June 3 at 2 p.m. in the second floor meeting room at the Rabun County Courthouse, 25 Courthouse Square, Clayton. The agenda has one sole item "consider going into executive session to talk about potential litigation."
The Clayton Tribune could not confirm as of Friday whether the special called meeting is related to the incident.
The Clayton Tribune reached out to Nichols and left a message asking for comment Friday morning. Nichols did not immediately return the call for comment.
"The Rabun County Sheriff's Office staff has faith in the leadership of its command staff members," Angell said in a news release from the Rabun County Sheriff's Office Friday afternoon. "We will continue to be a full-service agency that continuously supports our community."
Darnell has been employed with the Rabun County Sheriff's Office for 14 years, has attended Chiefs Training through the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, and maintains Georgia Post certifications in Supervision and Management, according to the news release.
Read next week's June 6 edition of The Clayton Tribune for an updated story.