A former Richmond County Sheriff’s officer entered a plea Friday, June 24, to theft by deception and violation of oath by public officer.
James B. Ouzts, 53, entered an Alford plea in Richmond County Superior Court, acknowledging the sufficiency of the evidence for a conviction but not admitting guilt. Judge Ashley Wright accepted the negotiated sentence of two years’ probation under the First Offender Act.
Ouzts was fired in 2018 and charged with criminal offenses for “double dipping,” working security for a nightclub while on duty with the sheriff’s office. He had been with the department for 12 years.
Friday Assistant District Attorney Roslyn Norman said Ouzts was warned in May 2018 that he could not work a special, a private employment job, while on duty. But an investigation found he did it again in October 2018.
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Oct. 5, 2018, Ouzts was on duty while working at the Private Eye nightclub on Thomas Lane. When he was called to respond to a domestic violence call with a weapon, he was 10 minutes late because his patrol car was blocked by club patrons, Norman said. That meant another officer had to go to the potentially dangerous scene without backup. The investigation revealed Ouzts worked at the club every Friday and Saturday whether on duty with the sheriff’s department or not, Norman said.
Ouzts served in the Air Force for 12 years. He started a career in law enforcement in 1998. He told the judge Friday he is now on disability.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
