A jailer with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office faces felony charges after supplying an inmate with a cell phone.
Theresa Delgado, 39, of Fairburn, was charged with felony providing a cell phone to an inmate, felony violation of oath of office and misdemeanor 4th degree forgery, according to Sheriff Barry Babb.
“The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs unit on Aug. 2 began an investigation on a deputy sheriff assigned to the Fayette County Jail for a possible oath of office violation,” said Babb. “Information was received by command staff at the Fayette County Jail that contraband, particularly a cell phone, had been brought into the facility by a deputy sheriff and supplied to an inmate. Once this information was verified, the deputy was terminated by the sheriff’s office for violation of policy and a criminal investigation was begun by the Criminal Investigation Division.”
As a result of this investigation, arrest warrants were issued with a total set bond of $9,000. Delgado surrendered to the Fayette County Jail on Sept. 28, Babb said.
Delgado posted bond and was released, Babb said, adding that Delgado was employed by the sheriff’s office for 5 years and 4 months.
“This is an ongoing problem throughout county jails and state prisons nationwide,” said Babb. “We are very aware that our staff can be our weakest link for contraband to be smuggled into our jail. Our jail staff as a whole does an excellent job under very demanding conditions every day. It is the hardest job in public safety. I’m thankful that our procedures and our vigilant jail staff notified command of a possible issue even against one of their own. It always cuts you deep when one tarnishes their badge however, we will police ourselves with the same measure as we do others. We will not tolerate any less.”
