The GBI has arrested and charged former Dade County Sheriff’s Office Jail commander Joseph William Chambers, age 52, of Flintstone, Georgia, with one count of Theft by Conversion and one count of Violation of Oath by Public Officer.
On May 28, 2026, the Dade County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to conduct an investigation regarding allegations that Chambers used county funds for personal purchases.
On June 4, 2026, Chambers was booked into the Dade County Jail.
This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI’s Regional Investigative Office in Calhoun at (706) 624-1424. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Dade County Sheriff’s Office released this statement:
On May 28, Chief Deputy Tommy Bradford requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) examine financial records pertaining to the Dade County Jail, due to the discovery of concerning purchases being made in the past, by the former Jail Administrator.
After being informed of the preliminary findings of the investigation, Chief Deputy Bradford terminated the employment of the former Jail Administrator, Joseph Chambers, on June 1.
The GBI agent assigned to the investigation obtained two arrest warrants for Chambers on June 4, and Chambers turned himself in to the Dade County Jail, later that same day.
He was booked on one count of Theft by Conversion (OCGA 16-8-4), and one count of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer (16-10-1).
Due to this being an ongoing investigation by the GBI, the Sheriff’s Office will not be releasing any further details at this time.
The GBI has advised the Sheriff’s Office that it is also preparing a press release regarding this matter. We will share that release as soon as we receive it.
