Ex-Georgia Sheriff Gets 3 Years in Prison

DUBLIN, Ga. --

Former Telfair County Sheriff Jim Williamson has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison.

The 49-year-old Williamson pleaded guilty to a charge of honest services fraud in January, a week after his second term as sheriff ended. Prosecutors said Williamson embezzled fine money, accepted a bribe and purchased personal items with county funds.

A presentence report recommended a sentence of nearly four years in prison. Williamson could have received 20 years behind bars.

In 1994, former Telfair County Sheriff Ronnie Walker was sentenced to 10 years in prison for protecting marijuana growers. Walker's uncle and predecessor, Jack Walker, also was sentenced to prison on racketeering charges while sheriff.

Those cases led the county to impose a two-term limit on all elected county offices.

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