North Georgia sheriff arrested for public nuisance and sexual assault

A north Georgia sheriff has been arrested and charged with sexual assault and public indecency.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols last week. He turned himself in on Friday.

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Rabun County jail records show Nichols faces charges of public indecency, sexual assault and misconduct against a public official.

“The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office has no comment on the ongoing and active investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations,” Rabun County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kevin Angell told Channel 2 Action News.

“We’re dealing with it. It’s new territory, so we’re doing the best we can,” said Major Beth Darnell of the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Audrey Washington from Channel 2.

The GBI has not released any information about the victims. The case is still under investigation.

Nichols was taken to the Rabun County Detention Center by his own officers.

A statement from the sheriff’s office reads, among other things:

“Following the arrest of Sheriff Chad Nichols by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the associated conditions of his bail stating that he is not to engage in any law enforcement activity in his capacity as sheriff, the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office will rely on Major Beth Darnell as ‘acting chief.'”

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“We are proceeding as usual. We have a great support team in Rabun County,” said Major Darnell.

Neither the GBI nor the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office would elaborate on the alleged sexual abuse, but Major Darnell said she was concerned for her team, which she considers family.

“We have a lot of people praying for us and we support each other as a team. We come together. We offer counseling,” Major Darnell explained.

The GBI says the case will be turned over to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney upon completion of the investigation.

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