GBI arrests former Jackson Co. Deputy in Use of Force Investigation

By Joe Johnson

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Thursday arrested former Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy John Pursley, 53, of Jefferson, and charged him with two counts of simple assault and one count of violation of oath of public officer. Pursley surrendered himself at the Jackson County Jail.

On May 10, the sheriff’s office requested the GBI to investigate a use of force incident that occurred inside the jail. The investigation indicated that Pursley physically assaulted an inmate in the jail after an argument between the two of them, the GBI said.

The GBI will continue this independent investigation, which when completed it will be provided to the Jackson County District Attorney for prosecution.