David Ronald Kitchens, 48, was charged with computer theft and violation of oath by a public officer. Kitchens, a staff sergeant with the department, was fired Feb. 25.
On Feb. 22, a concerned citizen told Columbia County Sheriff’s Office officials that Kitchens was soliciting business for attorneys, according to a statement from Capt. Steve Morris.
An internal investigation found Kitchens also was using the sheriff’s office computer system to print accident reports for citizens and attorneys, which is a violation of sheriff’s office policies.
Kitchens, a former Burke County Sheriff’s office employee, had worked for the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office since December 1994.
Kitchens was booked into the Columbia County Detention Center and released Tuesday night after posting a $10,000 bond, according to jail records.
