Deputy placed on leave after alleged incident

Captain Tony Winborn, the chief investigator for the Sheriff’s Office, immediately placed the deputy on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Sheriff Jeff Hinson, after being advised of the allegations and the preliminary evidence obtained, requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) conduct a criminal investigation into the off-duty actions of the deputy. The Sheriff’s Office will conduct a formal internal affairs investigations into the matter once the criminal investigation is complete. The Sheriff’s Office has identified the deputy as Dean Smith. Smith has been employed by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office since January 2009.

Sheriff Hinson stated, “The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting and serving the citizens of Dodge County. I hold all employees accountable for their actions or inactions whether on duty or off duty. The integrity of the office of the sheriff and its employees is essential in creating a trust and respect within the community. Therefore, the complaint has been taken seriously and an investigation is being conducted into the allegations set forth in the complaint.”
No further information will be released on the incident until the GBI makes a determination in the case.