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Columbia County Deputy Jailer Arrested and Fired

A Columbia County Deputy Jailer who had only been with the department since January was arrested and fired Thursday. A news release from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says Deputy…

Columbia County Deputy Jailer Arrested and Fired

Deputy Jailer Riley Peters

Columbia County Sheriff's Office

A Columbia County Deputy Jailer who had only been with the department since January was arrested and fired Thursday.

A news release from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office says Deputy Jailer Riley Peters was allowing inmates to use a cell phone he brought into the E Pod housing area.

An inmate told authorities he had heard about possible Cash App payments in exchange for use of the phone.

According to the news release, "When Deputy Peters arrived for work and took over the E Pod housing area, we initiated a lock down of the pod and conducted an extensive search of the inmates and pod.  Riley Peters was escorted to the Criminal Investigations Division and interviewed."

The 21-year-old Peters was suspended without pay and sent home Wednesday.  Today, Peters was arrested.  His bond was set at $20,000.

Charges Against Peters

  • Violation of Oath of Office
  • Providing a Telecommunication Device to an Inmate

Peters was terminated today.  He had been employed by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office since January 2, 2024.

Mary Liz is the News Director and Co-Host of Augusta’s Morning News on WGAC. She spent 11 years as a News Director at an Indiana Radio Station. She has also worked as a former Police and Courts Reporter for The Republic Newspaper and Assistant Marketing Director of Merchants National Bank in Indianapolis. Mary Liz focuses most on local breaking news stories, feature stories on upcoming events, or community-service related organizations and the people who serve them. She has been with WGAC since 1995.