PULASKI, TN — A former Giles County Sheriff’s deputy has been indicted on multiple charges following an investigation stemming from allegedly inconsistent courtroom testimony involving the deployment of a Taser.
According to the Giles County Sheriff’s Office, former Deputy Stetson Thomas resigned on July 31 during the early stages of an internal investigation into the matter.
Following Thomas’ resignation, the Sheriff’s Office requested that 22nd Judicial District Attorney General Brent Cooper’s Office conduct a full investigation. The department also asked the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, commonly known as POST, to begin proceedings to revoke Thomas’ law enforcement certification.
The case was presented to a Giles County Grand Jury by Cooper’s office on Wednesday, August 12. The grand jury returned indictments charging Thomas with one count each of official misconduct, destruction and tampering with governmental records, perjury, aggravated perjury and assault.
Thomas surrendered at the Giles County Jail on Thursday, August 13, and was later released on bond.
Giles County Sheriff Joe Purvis said his department is committed to holding its employees to the same standards as members of the public.
“The Giles County Sheriff’s Office has dedicated employees committed to protecting the community they serve. We are held to the same standards as the public and face the same consequences. Abuse of authority will not be tolerated,” Purvis said.
Purvis added that he trusts the criminal justice process and thanked Cooper and his staff for conducting the investigation.
The Giles County Sheriff’s Office said it continues to cooperate fully with the District Attorney General’s Office. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
The charges contained in the indictments are allegations and do not constitute evidence of guilt. Thomas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt through the judicial process.
