CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — A recently-resigned Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy is under arrest and charged with sexually assaulting two female inmates after the women reported the assault last week.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges against 51-year-old Richard Gilleland of Canton on Thursday.
They said an investigation began last Friday, and that Gilleland resigned on Tuesday this week.
Gilleland faces two counts of sexual assault against a person in custody, two counts of sexual battery and two counts of violation of oath of office, according to the sheriff’s office.
The alleged assaults occurred at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center in Canton, according to an incident report.
“This type of behavior will not be tolerated,” Sheriff Frank Reynolds said in a release. “Our deputies have worked hard to gain the trust and respect from the community. When one of them breaks the law they will be held accountable.”
The sheriff’s office said Gilleland had been with the agency for five years. A Facebook page that Sheriff Reynolds confirmed belonged to Gilleland indicates he is an Iraq War veteran.
He appeared before Cherokee County Magistrate Court Judge Gregory Douds on Thursday, who set his bond at $8,000. Judge Douds set it at the lower end of the scale because Gilleland is out of work, he said.
Gilleland told the judge he plans to hire an attorney and fight the charges.
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