The following was taken from a press release distributed by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office on March 14, 2024:
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. – On Wednesday March 13th we received information that Deputy Jailer Riley Peters was allowing inmates to use a cell phone that he brought into the E Pod housing area. The inmate further stated he had heard about possible Cash App payments in exchange for the phone use.
When Deputy Peters arrived for work and took over the E Pod Housing area we initiated a lock down of the pod and conducted an extensive search of the inmates and pod. Riley Peters was escorted to CID and interviewed.
Peters was suspended without pay and sent home. On Thursday, March 14th Peters was arrested and charged with OCGA 16-10-1 Violation of Oath of Office and 42-5-18 Providing a Telecommunication Device to an Inmate.
Riley Peters was terminated today. He was employed as a Deputy Jailer since January 2, 2024.