Former Early County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Sentenced on Extortion Charge

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced the sentencing of Jarrod “J. D.” Murkerson, 35, a resident of Blakely, Georgia, on July 18, 2013, by the Honorable W. Louis Sands, United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia. On March 27, 2013, Mr. Murkerson entered a plea of guilty to extortion by a public official.

Judge Sands sentenced Mr. Murkerson to serve 24 months’ imprisonment, followed by two years’ supervised release, and a $100 mandatory assessment fee. There is no parole in the federal system.

As part of his plea, Mr. Murkerson admitted that in July 2011, while he was employed with the Early County Sheriff’s Office as an investigator, he provided information and protection to an illegal drug dealer. Court records revealed that Mr. Murkerson was not aware that the drug dealer was working as a confidential informant with law enforcement. Mr. Murkerson admitted that he received $1,000 in exchange for the information and protection that was provided to the informant when he transported nine ounces of cocaine through Early County. Mr. Murkerson also admitted that in August 2011, he agreed to sell the confidential informant steroids for $1,200.

“Anytime a law enforcement officer violates the law that they have taken an oath to uphold, it causes the trust of the people they promised to protect and serve to erode,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.

The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney K. Alan Dasher.

Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2602.