Two Gwinnett Deputies Arrested On Theft Charges

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Two Gwinnett County Sheriff's deputies have been arrested on charges that they stole county property.

Cpl. Ronnie Rodriquez was charged with felony theft by taking and violation of oath by a public officer and Dep. Jason Cowburn was charged with theft by receiving stolen property and violation of oath by a public officer.

Both men were arrested by sheriff's office investigators on Wednesday.

On Saturday, March 18, Rodriquez took unused property from a sheriff's office supply storage area without authorization, according to a sheriff's office statement. He then gave some of the item he took to Cowburn, the statement says.

According to a warrant, the items taken were valued between $1,500 and $5,000.

Both men turned themselves in on Wednesday and have since bonded out of jail. The sheriff's office is not releasing any additional details about the alleged theft, saying the case is still under investigation.

Rodriquez had been employed by the sheriff's office for 14 years and Cowburn for 11 years.

"Our deputies are not above the law and are expected to follow it," Dep. Shannon Volkadov said in a news release. "It is a serious breach of trust any time that we learn that one has not and it is not tolerated."

Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office