Jackson County deputy fired, arrested for trespassing at private home while on duty

A Jackson County sheriff’s deputy was arrested Thursday on charges of trespassing and violating his oath of office.

Zachary Billings, 35, of Jefferson was booked and released on the charges Thursday at the Jackson County Jail.

The arrest followed an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after the sheriff’s office requested the agency's help in the investigation due to a complaint filed by a citizen.

Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum said Friday that Billings went to a home and entered without permission or legal authority. Billings was not dispatched to the location, nor did he generate an incident report on his visit to the property, according to the sheriff.

The GBI reported the officer entered a home off Lakeview Terrace located in a subdivision west of the city of Jefferson. Billings was on duty at the time, the GBI reported.

The homeowner filed a complaint on Aug. 27 and Mangum said the office conducted an internal investigation. When the complaint appeared valid, Billings was suspended with pay pending the GBI investigation, according to Mangum.

Billings was fired after the GBI reported it had enough evidence to file charges, according to the sheriff.

“As the sheriff, I am disappointed and saddened at this behavior by a deputy sheriff who is sworn to uphold the law. I will not tolerate these actions by anyone,” Mangum posted on her Facebook.

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This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Jackson County deputy arrested on violating oath of office charge