Hall County Deputy Sheriff Charged With Accepting Bribes

GAINESVILLE, Ga. - David M. Treadwell, a Hall County Deputy Sheriff, has been arraigned on federal charges of accepting bribes and conspiring to possess with intent to distribute marijuana.  Treadwell was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 28, 2015.

“When a police officer becomes the exception and betrays his badge to protect criminals and promote crime, he undermines the dedication and sacrifices of his fellow officers that allow our citizens to trust and respect law enforcement,” said Acting United States Attorney John A. Horn. “This case unfortunately follows too closely on the heels of other instances of police corruption in this district, but we are committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting these cases to ensure that people have faith and confidence in our police.”

J. Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated: “Allegations of public corruption at all levels is a priority concern to us at the FBI, but allegations involving a law enforcement officer offer additional challenges and concerns. The FBI, upon receiving such allegations in this case, worked aggressively with its law enforcement partners to quickly investigate those allegations and present that investigation to federal prosecutors.”  

 “When you have a seasoned deputy sheriff who makes the conscious choice to violate his oath of office and seek illegal financial gain it must be dealt with expeditiously,” said Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch.  “I will not tolerate this kind of criminal action and I am thankful for the duty-bound officers who brought these heinous activities to the forefront.”  

According to Acting United States Attorney Horn, the charges, and other information presented in court: Treadwell was employed as a deputy sheriff with the Hall County Sheriff's Office.  On five occasions in late 2014, Treadwell accepted $200 or $300 from a person he believed was a drug dealer. In exchange for the money Treadwell agreed to alert the drug dealer if Treadwell learned that the drug dealer was under investigation in Hall County.  

David M. Treadwell, 33, of Gainesville, Ga., was arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge J. Clay Fuller.  Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges.  The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force that includes members of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office which assisted in the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney William L. McKinnon, Jr. is prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the home page for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Gainesville Division is http://www.justice.gov/usao/gan/.