A deputy from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in Augusta, Ga., was fired and arrested after admitting to stealing a knife from a member of the public. Sean McKenzie, a former deputy, was charged with theft by taking and felony violation of oath of office following an investigation. He was arrested and transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident occurred on September 16, when McKenzie responded to a complaint at a local home. A woman had contacted authorities, expressing concern about her husband, who had been making threats. She requested that a weapon be secured for safekeeping. McKenzie took possession of a rifle case containing both a rifle and a specialized knife valued at approximately $300. Body-worn camera footage confirmed the items in the case.
In January, the husband came to retrieve the items from the case and noticed that the knife was missing. He immediately filed a complaint with authorities. Upon investigation, McKenzie admitted to taking the knife and storing it at his home. This confession led to his termination from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after the admission.
Sheriff Eugene Brantley, who was recently appointed after unseating the previous sheriff, expressed disappointment over the incident. He stated, “It is always a sad day for law enforcement when one of our own chooses to break the law. We are committed to transparency and equal enforcement, regardless of whether the individual works for us or any other agency.” He also extended apologies to the affected family, emphasizing the importance of restoring public trust.
McKenzie was officially charged with theft and violation of oath of office, and criminal arrest warrants were issued for his arrest. He was promptly taken into custody, with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office taking swift action in addressing the misconduct.
