Appointed Towns County Sheriff Responds to Claims from Suspended Sheriff

This statement is being issued in response to a recent newspaper headline authored by Mr. Henderson and subsequent requests from the media for clarification. Absent those requests, I would not have issued a public rebuttal.

I will not comment on Mr. Henderson or his pending case, which is before the courts. This statement is issued solely to address inaccurate claims regarding narcotics enforcement and to ensure the public has accurate information regarding the lawful operation of the Towns County Sheriff’s Office.

I was appointed Sheriff after the State reviewed my professional law enforcement record and determined that corrective leadership was required following Mr. Henderson’s arrest. My responsibility is to stabilize operations, restore accountability, and ensure the Sheriff’s Office operates lawfully and without interruption. My appointment, and the authority of this Office and its deputies, were executed in compliance with the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

Narcotics enforcement in Towns County remains active and ongoing. During the transition, investigators who served under the prior administration voluntarily resigned, which may have contributed to a mistaken impression that drug enforcement had ceased. That impression is not accurate. I have met directly with the Special Agent in Charge of the GBI Regional Drug Enforcement Office, and we are working cooperatively to ensure continuity of enforcement. I have hired experienced narcotics investigators and have also coordinated with the Georgia State Patrol, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and surrounding county sheriffs in both Georgia and North Carolina to address drug activity that extends beyond county and state lines.

Public service should be carried out with restraint and dignity. You will not see many Facebook posts from this Office. I do not believe in routinely publicizing arrests or investigations on Facebook or other social media unless public safety requires it or community assistance is necessary. Premature publicity or speculation can compromise investigations, harm families, and undermine the justice process.

I am not interested in public disputes or personal commentary. My focus remains on leading this Office responsibly and ensuring it serves Towns County's citizens with professionalism, accountability, and integrity.

Sheriff Anthony Coleman

Towns County, Georgia