Coweta County detention officer was arrested and later fired for taking money with the intent of smuggling tobacco into the Coweta County Jail for an inmate.
Wesley Scott Kilgore, 19, who was just shy of his one-year work anniversary, was arrested Monday after his shift and charged with two counts of theft by deception, according to Sheriff Mike Yeager.
“This is not going to be tolerated,” the sheriff said. “We are not going to cross the line about what we have sworn to do... you cross that line and you are going to be prosecuted like everyone else.”
The case started a few weeks ago when Kilgore was approached by an inmate about helping to smuggle in tobacco, which is not allowed in the jail, Yeager said.
“The detention officer met with an individual outside who gave him tobacco and $50 to smuggle it in,” the sheriff said. Kilgore ended up keeping the money, but did not smuggle in the tobacco. Rumors started going around about the transaction, but Kilgore denied any wrongdoing.
Investigators later met up with the individual, who originally gave Kilgore the money and tobacco and set up an undercover operation.
“Last night (Monday) after his shift the detention officer met up with the individual and got more tobacco and $200 this time,” Yeager said. “Shorty after the exchange, units issued a traffic stop on the detention officer, found the tobacco and the $200 in his pant pocket.”
During questioning, Kilgore admitted taking the $50 and also said he planned to keep the $200 but was not going to smuggle in the tobacco, according to the sheriff.
“He said he was just going to keep the money and not go through with it,” Yeager said. “Regardless, he violated his oath of office with his intent to smuggle contraband into the jail.”
Kilgore was released on a $2,300 bond and was officially terminated Tuesday when he reported to his superior.
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