Former Elbert Co Sheriff’s Investigator Charged Under RICO

In Elbert County, a former Elbert County Sheriff’s Investigator if facing corruption charges.

In a press release issued late last week, Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, announced an arrest warrant for Christopher Michael Cornell had been issued after he was indicted by a grand jury.

Cornell is charged with two counts of Violation of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and one count of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer. 

So far, no details on the nature the charges has been released, but Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the GBI Athens Office Jesse Maddox says the charges stem from an investigation that began last year.

“Sheriff (Melvin) Andrews requested us once their inventory and audit process began when he took over the office,” Maddox said. “Initially this investigation was kind of a widespread blanket, there was not necessarily any one specific thing we were interested in.”

But Maddox said as the investigation continued, information began funneling down to one specific area and person.

Cornell turned himself in at 8:54am Friday at the Elbert County Detention Center.  Cornell was later released on a $100,000 bond.   However,  Maddox says the investigation is ongoing. 

“We don’t close an investigation until there’s a disposition from the District Attorney’s office or from Superior Court,” he said. “We will keep this investigation open until that time. At this moment,there’s no indication that there will be any other suspects that we look into.”

Elbert County Sheriff Melvin Andrews said he’s grateful to those involved with bringing this investigation forward. So far, a date for Cornell’s arraignment has not yet been scheduled.