Brad Capitosti Named Interim Sheriff in Burke County After Williams Suspended

Brad Capitosti will serve as interim sheriff of Burke County. Gov. Brian Kemp suspended Sheriff Alfonzo Williams from office Monday. Williams faces federal charges.

Kemp signed an executive order Aug. 10 suspending Williams until his federal case wraps up or his term expires, whichever happens first. A review commission examined whether the indictment hurt Williams' ability to run the office and serve public interests.

The commission delivered its report Monday. It found the indictment "relates to and adversely affects" how the office operates, per The Augusta Press. The panel said suspension should happen under state law.

A federal grand jury indicted Williams July 9. He faces five counts of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right. There's also one count tied to transferring a firearm to a prohibited person. Federal prosecutors claim he asked for payments from five people between August 2021 and April 2022. In return, he'd get their DUI citations dismissed.

Last week, Williams received four state felony charges—two counts of making false statements and two counts of theft by conversion. These accusations say he entered fake training records for a Waynesboro police officer. They also claim he misused money connected to the office.

Commissioners said Monday they wanted someone with an outside view for the transition. Commissioner Evans Martin said some deputies might quit the agency if changes don't happen.

The shift in leadership happens while the office investigates a quadruple homicide. Four people died in the Sardis area. Capitosti takes over as this homicide investigation moves forward and the criminal cases work through the courts.