ALBANY, Ga. — Authorities have accused a south Georgia sheriff’s deputy of stealing the identity of an inmate.
Deputy Charles Tharpe was arrested Tuesday and charged with computer theft.
Investigators said Tharpe, an 11-year veteran, used jail computers to steal an inmate’s social security number and personal information, then used the information to open accounts for cash.
Dougherty County Sheriff Kevin Sproul said there could be more people involved in the crime and there may be more victims.
Sproul said he asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate to assure the community there is no cover-up in the investigation.
Tharpe was released from the Lee County jail on $20,000 bond.
