Remove ads by Supporting Independent News
The following was taken from a press release distributed by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office on October 16, 2025.
PUTNAM COUNTY, Ga. – Two Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies were recently terminated following a timecard audit that found they had falsified time cards, taking thousands of dollars in pay for hours not worked.
“To say I am disappointed is a gross understatement to how I feel about the discredit these two have placed on my agency,” Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach said. “We have a commitment to uphold the faith and public trust our community places with us and these two trampled it for personal gain and are no different than the criminals we arrest on the streets.”
In August, a supervisor noted a discrepancy in Lt. Michael Wells’ timecard when Wells reported working his normal shift hours on Aug. 4 and 5 despite being a law enforcement academy instructor on those same days. The department allows 40 hours of leave time for instructors and Wells did not use that leave or any annual leave. This triggered a criminal investigation into possible theft and fraud by “double-dipping” and Wells was placed on administrative leave Aug. 22.
During the investigation it was found Wells taught several classes at the academy since Jan. 2024 equaling 169 hours, during which he did not request any leave, academy or annual. Wells was paid by the sheriff’s office and the law enforcement academy during that time. Based on the documented overlaps between reportedly working for the sheriff’s office while teaching classes, the estimated monetary loss to the sheriff’s office was $6,522.49, more than the minimum threshold for grand theft. Following the completion of the criminal investigation, an internal investigation was conducted that found in addition to “double-dipping” there were several instances where Wells had falsified his timecard by not taking annual leave while on vacation or participating in personal activities. Wells was found in gross violation of conduct unbecoming an officer and participated in conduct that could severely affect public faith and trust as well as commission of a crime.
Charges of grand theft and official misconduct, felonies, were forwarded to the state attorney’s office. Wells was fired on Oct. 6.
Due to Wells’ position as a supervisor and lieutenant in the agency, a review of timecards was initiated through the department.
On Sept. 30, a secondary investigation began involving timecard discrepancies by Detective Elias Rivera. During the investigation, it was determined Rivera failed to enter leave time when he worked at least 16 off-duty details in seven months during his regular scheduled work hours. The total monetary loss to the sheriff’s office is $2,558.45 for 95.5 hours.
The investigation was completed Oct. 13, and charges of felony grand theft and official misconduct were forwarded to the state attorney’s office. Additionally, Rivera was terminated Oct. 16 for gross violation of conduct unbecoming of an officer and participated in conduct that could severely affect public faith and trust, as well as commission of a crime.
“I expect that we continue to operate at a high standard of professionalism,” DeLoach said. “We will continue to ensure we provide the best service to our community and be fiscally conscious of taxpayers money. No one is above the law, and even financial crimes are detrimental because they erode public trust in the many hardworking men and women in this agency. My promise is to continue to hold each person accountable for their actions, and those who cannot meet the standard will no longer be employed, and in cases like these, they will also face criminal charges.”
Wells began as a patrol deputy with the sheriff’s office in 2014. He has no prior disciplinary history. Rivera began as a patrol deputy with the sheriff’s office in 2019. He has no prior disciplinary history.