Mayor arrested after he’s accused of giving inmates alcohol, Georgia police say
A Georgia mayor accused of giving booze to an inmate work crew has been charged, state investigators said.
Authorities arrested Thomson Mayor Benjamin “Benji” Cranford on Wednesday, Aug. 14, on charges of furnishing prohibited items to inmates and criminal attempt to commit a felony, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
McClatchy News reached out to Cranford’s office for comment Thursday and was awaiting a response.
The alleged incident occurred June 4, prompting a police investigation.
Cranford bought a bottle of Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin from a local liquor store and left it in a ditch near a work crew of state prisoners, WRDW reported, citing the indictment.
A McDuffie County grand jury indicted the mayor Wednesday, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Cranford was booked into jail Wednesday and released after posting a $5,000 bond, according to WRDW.
The case will be prosecuted by the Toombs Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office once the GBI investigation is done, authorities said.
Cranford was elected mayor in November and is serving a two-year term, WJBF reported.
Thomson is about a 30-mile drive west from Augusta.
This story was originally published August 15, 2024 at 12:46 PM with the headline "Mayor arrested after he’s accused of giving inmates alcohol, Georgia police say."