Overview
- Former deputy Diana Santiago was questioned Monday at about 3:45 p.m., charged with three felonies, and booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
- The charges are violation of oath of office, conspiracy to purchase or possess a controlled substance, and unlawful street gang activity.
- Santiago had served with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office since May 2020 and was terminated the same day she was arrested.
- Sheriff Eugene Brantley said the office will not tolerate criminal conduct within its ranks and praised investigators' work, with the case still active.
- Chief Lewis Blanchard said Santiago shared information with people she should not have and noted tighter vetting that advances only a fraction of applicants through a seven-step process.