Augusta, GA: Richmond County deputy fired and charged over Flock searches; lieutenant charged in pay case

Credit: Danny / Any County News · Source: Richmond County Sheriff's Office statements via The Augusta Press, WRDW and WJBF, Oct. 15-16, 2026.

AUGUSTA, GA - A Richmond County deputy has been fired and charged after investigators say he used the agency's Flock license plate cameras for personal searches, and a sheriff's office lieutenant is charged after an internal investigation into overlapping pay, the Richmond County Sheriff's Office says.

The sheriff's office says Deputy Corey Whitfield knowingly used the Flock camera system to search license plate numbers for personal reasons, not for criminal investigations, calls for service or any other law enforcement purpose. He is charged with misuse of license plate readers and violation of oath of office, was booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and has been fired. The Augusta Press reports he is the sixth deputy arrested over Flock misuse.

The sheriff's office also says its Internal Affairs Division received an allegation that Lieutenant Cory Carlyle worked a special duty assignment at the Department of Family and Children Services while he was on duty with the sheriff's office. Investigators reviewed 2026 time sheets from both agencies and say they found multiple times he appeared to be paid by both for overlapping hours. Carlyle is charged with theft by deception, false statements and documents, and violation of oath by a public officer. He turned himself in at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.

"Our office holds every employee to the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism," Sheriff Eugene Brantley said. The sheriff's office says both investigations are ongoing. Charged, not convicted: both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Source: Richmond County Sheriff's Office statements, Oct. 15-16, 2026, via The Augusta Press, WRDW and WJBF. Images: Richmond County Sheriff's Office booking photos of Whitfield and Carlyle, and Whitfield's photo in uniform.

Charged, not convicted.

Sources: Richmond County Sheriff's Office via The Augusta Press, Oct. 16, 2026 · WRDW · WJBF

Images: Richmond County Sheriff's Office booking photos of Corey Whitfield (Oct. 15, 2026) and Cory Carlyle, and Whitfield's photo in uniform (as published with the sheriff's office statement by The Augusta Press). No AI-generated images.

Tip a local story: email danny@anycountynews.com

Any County News is independent local media and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any law enforcement or government agency.