South Georgia sheriff arrested, charged following GBI investigation

Inmate with 2 gunshot wounds breaks handcuffs and escapes hospital in Cobb County

Inmate with 2 gunshot wounds breaks handcuffs and escapes hospital in Cobb County

A South Georgia sheriff was arrested this week by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation following an investigation into allegations of sexual battery.

Miller County Sheriff Rick Morgan, 54, was charged with sexual battery and violation of oath by public officer. Pataula Judicial Circuit District Attorney Vic McNease requested the GBI look into allegations against Morgan on July 26, 2022.

McNease told the Atlanta Journal Constitution Friday that he received information from the county about Morgan and he decided it warranted an investigation so he contacted the GBI. McNease expects the investigation file to be turned over to him sometime next week so he can present it to a grand jury.

According to the GBI, the allegations stemmed from an incident that took place during a 911 call in Miller County involving Morgan. The GBI interviewed the victim and multiple witnesses, collected evidence and discussed the findings with McNease and a Superior Court judge.

Two warrants were issued and Morgan was arrested Wednesday morning in Miller County. Once the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the district attorney’s office for prosecution.

Following his arrest, Morgan told local TV-station WCTV that he was still working in his role as sheriff.

Morgan ran for office in 2020 against incumbent Miller County Sheriff Scott Worsley and lost the election. However, Worsley had died a week before the election after a bout with cancer, so Morgan became sheriff.