A jail official from Butts County has been taken into custody following a breach of trust. The Sheriff's Office confirmed that Lexi Thompson, who served as a jailer for approximately four months, faced arrest over allegations of smuggling contraband to an inmate. Fox5 Atlanta reported that Sheriff Gary Long denounced Thompson's actions in a statement, defining her choice as "STUPID," a sentiment he emphasized on social media as well.
Facing multiple felony charges, including providing contraband to inmates and violating her oath of office, Thompson is now being held without bond. It is in the very facility where she was employed until recently, Sheriff Long pointed out the gravity of the betrayal, saying by Fox5 Atlanta, "In my professional opinion, any law enforcement officer who violates their oath is worse than most of my jail population. They didn’t take an oath—she did."
Thompson's arrest comes after the Butts County Sheriff's department had committed itself to maintain a stringent ethical code among its personnel. Long, having vowed to police his own staff as fiercely as the community they protect, recognized the damage such actions can cause to the reputation of law enforcement, adding, "This should not define the rest of the brave men and women who serve this community with honor and integrity," according to a statement obtained by Fox5 Atlanta.
As for the investigation, it continues being pursued by the sheriff’s office. The former jailer was swiftly fired following the discovery of her alleged misconduct. Sheriff Long, emphasizing the frustration such incidents spur, stated, "These are the types of crimes that bother me the most," as reported by WSB-TV. Asserting that even one 'bad apple' cannot be tolerated within law enforcement, Long is determined to ensure that all within his command adhere to the sworn oath they undertook upon entering service.
