Richmond County Sheriff Gino Brantley has fired and filed criminal charges against a deputy who confessed to taking home a knife that was confiscated last fall from the home of a threatening suspect.
RCSO Deputy Sean McKenzie responded to a residence Sept. 16 to investigate a husband making threats. The deputy spoke to the suspect’s wife, who requested that a rifle and a specialized knife be secured for safekeeping, according to the sheriff’s office. The wife voluntarily handed over the items, including a rifle and a knife valued at approximately $300, as documented by the deputy’s body-worn camera.
Last week, the suspect came to retrieve his items and noticed that the knife was missing. He immediately filed a formal complaint with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, prompting an internal investigation. Authorities say McKenzie admitted to taking the knife and storing it at his home.
“Due to the serious nature of the complaint, the case was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division (CID),” said Sheriff Gino Brantley. “Following the investigation, Deputy McKenzie’s actions were deemed a violation of trust.”
Deputy McKenzie was fired at 3 p.m. Tuesday. In addition to his termination, McKenzie has been charged with theft by taking and felony violation of oath of office. CID officials have already secured criminal arrest warrants, and McKenzie was being transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center for booking.
Sheriff Brantley expressed disappointment in McKenzie’s actions, emphasizing the department’s commitment to transparency and accountability. “It is always a sad day for law enforcement when one of our own chooses to break the law,” Brantley said in a press release. “We are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and equal enforcement of the law, no matter the individual.”
The office also issued an apology to the family involved, noting that this quick action would help mitigate the breach of trust caused by the incident.
