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Written by: A. Smith
Published April 17, 2025 @ 12:16 PM ET
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. – A former lieutenant with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office has been sentenced to 20 years—four of them behind bars—after admitting to stealing thousands of dollars in citation payments during her time at the county jail.
Amy Kathleen Bradley, who was assigned to the Walker County Jail, pleaded guilty on Feb. 27 to theft by taking following a multi-year investigation led by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Officials began looking into the case in June 2021 after reports surfaced that Bradley may have been taking cash payments made by individuals paying off citations.
According to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, GBI Special Agent Daniel Nicholson discovered that between 2018 and 2022, Bradley had been diverting funds for her personal use. During an interview with investigators, she admitted to the thefts and was later charged with multiple counts of theft by taking and theft by conversion.
As part of her plea agreement, Bradley was sentenced to 20 years, with four to be served in prison. She must also repay more than $70,000 in restitution to Walker County. In addition, she permanently forfeits all law enforcement certifications and is banned from working in any position involving financial responsibilities or handling public funds.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Lynsay Chapman. District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller praised the GBI’s efforts, particularly the work of Agent Nicholson.
“I want to thank the GBI for bringing us a strong case, and in particular Agent Nicholson, who is an indispensable asset for justice in our community,” Fuller said. “I don’t care if you wear a badge — you steal from the people, you answer for it. In the LMJC, no one is above the law.”