Probe into stolen drug money continues

The outcome of an investigation into the $1,001 that went missing from a Thomson Police Department substation is still months away.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation continues investigating Thomson police, custodial staff and others who may have had access to confiscated drug money that was discovered missing by Thomson Police Chief John Hathaway more than three months ago.

GBI Special Agent In Charge Mike Seigler said that his office is almost finished with their report on the matter.

"We're typing in three additional interviews and we should have our findings ready in the next day or so," Seigler said.

//

Once complete, the GBI report will be handed over to Toombs Circuit District Attorney Dennis Sanders, who, along with Hathaway, requested the GBI investigation.

Sanders said his plans for the report are to present it to a special grand jury that will convene in June. Until then, the report will not be made public.

"That's my normal course whenever I have anything that has drawn any media attention at all," Sanders said.

"I just think it's a healthier process to put it in the hands of an outside agency," he said.

Hathaway said that about 20 men routinely utilize the substation where the money was taken.

The money was seized in a 2001 drug case and then placed into a sealed evidence bag before being locked into the substation filing cabinet.

When Hathaway removed the bag from the locker he found only $59 left of the $1,060 originally placed into evidence.