Three state troopers based in northeast Georgia are among 30 statewide who were fired in a cheating scandal.
One of the local troopers was assigned to Post 27 in Blue Ridge, two others were assigned to Post 6 in Gainesville. Each post covers multiple counties in northeast Georgia.
Georgia Department of Public Safety Commissioner Col. Mark McDonough held a press conference Wednesday in Atlanta to detail the allegations. He confirmed all of the troopers were members of the 106th Trooper School that graduated in August 2019.
The investigation began in October when a trooper was disciplined and told officials it was not an isolated incident. The investigation revealed all of the cadets in the class cheated on an online speed detection operator exam. There were also several incidents where cadets received help from other each other and even a training instructor on their exams.
McDonough says all of the graduates signed an oath to uphold professional conduct and standards. They were dismissed for violating that oath.
A total of 33 cadets graduated with the 106th Trooper School. Of those, one resigned, one was dismissed, and another was on military leave prior to Wednesday’s mass firing.
The firings could affect about 133 tickets written by the former troopers across the state. McDonough said the respective court systems have been notified.
Col. McDonough said POST certification for all 30 troopers is also in jeopardy.
Here’s a list of the troopers in the class:
Erguens Accilien – Post 21 – Sylvania
David Allan – Post 6 – Gainesville
Jalin Anderson – Post 33 – Milledgeville
Erik Austell – Post 15 – Perry
Evan Bauza – Post 11 – Hinesville
Logan Beck – Post 23 – Brunswick
Christopher Cates – Post 27 – Blue Ridge
Seferino Chavez – Post 47 – Forest Park
Demon Clark – Post 17 – Washington
Christopher Cordell – Post 5 – Dalton
Clint Donaldson – Post 49 – Motor Unit
Eric Guerrero – Post 36 – Douglas
Jonathan Hayes – Post 29 – Paulding
Nicholas Hawkins – Post 46 – Monroe
Bradley Hunt – Post 2 – LaGrange
Clarence Johnson – Post 25 – Grovetown
Evan Joyner – Post 2 – LaGrange
Richard Justice – Post 25 – Grovetown
Malcolm Martinez – Post 47 – Forest Park
Rebecca Moran – Post 51 – Gwinnett
Paul Osuegbu – Post 6 – Gainesville
Jose Perez – Post 13 – Tifton
Patrick Pollett – Post 25 – Grovetown
Troy Pudder – Post 30 – Cordele
Caleb Pyle – Post 24 – Newnan
Daysi Ramirez – Post 15 – Perry
Gabriel Rampy – Post 4 – Villa Rica
Adam Salter – Post 26 – Thomaston
Jerry Slade – Post 30 – Cordele
Kyle Thompson – Post 36 – Douglas
James Vaughan – Post 10 – Americus
Brian Whelehan – Post 23 – Brunswick
Kelley Whitaker – Post 14 – Colquitt
Photo: Georgia State Patrol
