Catoosa County deputy arrested following GBI investigation

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  A former Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant has been arrested following a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) inquiry into allegations of financial misconduct involving an off-duty security job.

According to the GBI, former Lieutenant Keith Cantrell, was hired by a local church to provide security but

Keith Cantrell

submitted invoices for payment despite never showing up for work.

Investigators found that Cantrell received compensation for these unperformed duties and also attempted to obtain additional payments fraudulently.

On February 4, 2025, Cantrell was placed on administrative leave without pay as the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) launched an internal investigation.

The following day, CCSO collected statements from involved personnel and secured video evidence, prompting Sheriff Sisk to request assistance from the GBI on February 6, 2025.

The GBI’s investigation concluded that Cantrell’s actions violated his Oath of Office and constituted multiple criminal offenses.

As a result, Cantrell was terminated from the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office on February 13, 2025.

He was later arrested and charged with Theft by Deception, Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft by Deception, and Violation of Oath by Public Officer.

Cantrell was booked into the Catoosa County Jail.