Rabun County Sheriff Arrested by GBI and Charged with Sexual Assault

RABUN COUNTY, Georgia. – The race for sheriff in Rabun County took an unexpected turn Friday when Sheriff Chad Nichols, who is running for re-election, was arrested.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested the Rabun County Sheriff as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual assault.

The GBI announced that Sheriff Chad Nichols, 45, is in custody and is accused of public nuisance, sexual assault and abuse of office.

The GBI issued a written statement saying, in part:

“On Friday, May 24, Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney George Christian asked the GBI to investigate an incident involving Nichols. Nichols turned himself in on Friday and was booked into the Rabun County Detention Center. This investigation is active and ongoing.”

GBI agents say they were asked by Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney George Christian to investigate “an incident” on May 24 involving the sheriff.

Chad Nichols, Sheriff of Rabun County (Sheriff of Rabun County)

Nichols turned himself in and is now in custody at the Rabun County Detention Center.

Authorities have not released any details about the investigation or the alleged incident. The investigation is ongoing.

A source told FOX 5 that the alleged incident occurred at a local business where the sheriff was holding a campaign rally on primary election day, May 21.

The victim reportedly told investigators that the sheriff initially tried to take her into the building alone, but she refused. She later also reportedly saw Nichols performing a sexual act naked.

Bail was set at $32,500. As a condition of his release, Sheriff Nichols is prohibited from directly participating in and/or directing any law enforcement activity in his personal capacity or in his capacity as Sheriff of Rabun County.

Chad Nichols, Rabun County Sheriff (Rabun County Sheriff’s Office)

Rabun County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kevin Angell said Major Beth Darnell will assume the role of sheriff in the interim.

“There is a runoff election on June 18th where there is another candidate. After that election is complete, decisions will presumably be made. It may even be that the governor makes the decision to appoint that person immediately. But right now, we support Major Beth Darnell, she is great for the agency. We support her, she will become our deputy and will hold that role until the end of the year.”

Once the investigation is complete, the files will be turned over to the District Attorney of the Mountain Judicial Circuit for prosecution.