Ken Henderson faces theft, false statement and oath charges tied to a sheriff’s office bank account.
HIAWASSEE, Ga. — Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents arrested suspended Towns County Sheriff Ken Henderson on Thursday after an audit raised questions about a financial transaction involving a sheriff’s office bank account.
Henderson, 67, of Young Harris, was charged with theft by deception, false statements and writings, sale of real or personal property to a political subdivision by a local officer or employee, and three counts of violation of oath of office. The arrest adds a new criminal case to months of turmoil around the north Georgia sheriff’s office, where Henderson was already under suspension and facing separate allegations tied to misconduct in office.
The GBI said the case began May 28, when the Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office asked for an independent investigation after a financial transaction was found during Towns County’s annual audit. Investigators said they determined that a check had been written to Henderson from one of the Towns County Sheriff’s Office bank accounts. The agency has not released the amount of the check, the date it was written or the stated purpose of the payment. The GBI said the investigation is “active and ongoing.” Henderson was booked into the Towns County Detention Center after his arrest.
The new charges came days after Gov. Brian Kemp suspended Henderson for 60 days and ordered a separate review of misconduct allegations. Kemp signed an executive order appointing Attorney General Chris Carr, Coweta County Sheriff Lenn Wood and Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown to examine the claims and report back. State officials have said that review is separate from the earlier case that led to Henderson’s 2025 charges and separate from the new GBI financial investigation. Anthony Coleman, who was sworn in as interim sheriff in 2025, continues to lead the office during the suspension.
Henderson’s earlier legal troubles stemmed from a 2024 incident involving a Hiawassee police officer who responded after a Towns County deputy was wounded. A grand jury later indicted Henderson on charges including violation of oath by a public officer, false imprisonment and battery counts. That case involved a confrontation at an active scene and body camera footage that drew scrutiny from state and law enforcement officials. Henderson turned himself in after the indictment in October 2025 and was later released on bond. He has been awaiting court proceedings in that case.
The July 2 arrest moves the financial case into a new stage, but several facts remain unknown. Investigators have not publicly described the property or transaction behind the charge involving sale of real or personal property to a political subdivision by a local officer or employee. They also have not said whether any other sheriff’s office employees are under review. The GBI said the case file will be sent to the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office when the investigation is complete. That office was appointed by the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia to review and prosecute the financial case and the earlier GBI case involving Henderson.
The arrest placed renewed attention on Towns County, a mountain community along the North Carolina line where the sheriff is one of the most visible elected officials. Henderson’s suspension means he is not currently running the sheriff’s office while state and criminal reviews move forward. Kemp’s latest suspension can last up to 60 days, and state law allows further action depending on the findings and the status of pending cases. No court date for the new charges was listed in the initial state announcement.
The case remained open Friday, with Henderson booked on the new charges and state investigators still reviewing records tied to the sheriff’s office account. The next major step is the completion of the GBI case file and its transfer to the appointed district attorney’s office for prosecution review.
Author note: Last updated July 3, 2026.