The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested and charged Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols with sexual battery, public indecency, and violating his oath of office.
According to the GBI, on Friday, May 24, Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney George Christian asked the agency to investigate an incident involving Nichols.
The 45-year-old Nichols turned himself in and was booked into the Rabun County Detention Center early Friday morning, May 31.
Violation of oath of office is a felony. The sexual battery and public indecency charges are both misdemeanors. According to the district attorney’s office, a senior superior court judge issued the warrants for criminal conduct alleged to have occurred in May 2024.
Nichols’ bond was set at $32,500. A news release from the DA’s office states bond conditions prohibit Nichols from engaging in or directing any law enforcement activities “in his personal capacity or his capacity as Sheriff of Rabun County.”
The sheriff’s office announced Friday afternoon that Major Beth Darnell has been appointed as the agency’s “Acting In-Charge.” Sheriff’s office spokesperson Investigator Kevin Angell says Nichols appointed Darnell before his arrest.
Christian says his office will make no further comments regarding this case since it is still under investigation. Once the GBI’s investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the DA’s office for prosecution.
Nichols, who is nearing the end of his second term as sheriff, is the former police chief of Baldwin. He is currently in a runoff for reelection against former Rabun County deputy Mark Gerrells.
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