Former Giles County deputy indicted on misconduct and assault charges

GILES COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A former Giles County deputy has been indicted on several charges following an incident involving a Taser during an arrest, officials said.

On Thursday, Aug. 13, Giles County Sheriff Joseph Purvis announced that Stetson Thomas resigned from his position on July 31 during the early stages of an investigation regarding inconsistent courtroom testimony.

The office of District Attorney General Brent Cooper reportedly investigated the incident and presented the case to a Giles County grand jury on Wednesday, Aug. 12. In addition, the Giles County Sheriff’s Office requested the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to commence with decertification proceedings.

According to the GCSO, the grand jury later returned indictments charging Thomas with one count of official misconduct, one count of destruction and tamper of governmental records, one count of perjury, one count of aggravated perjury and one count of assault. Thomas reportedly turned himself into the Giles County Jail and has since been released on bond.

“The Giles County Sheriff’s Office has dedicated employees committed to protecting the community they serve. We are held to the same standards as the public and face the same consequences. Abuse of authority will not be tolerated. I trust and believe in the criminal justice system, and I’m confident that a Giles County jury will determine the appropriate outcome. I appreciate General Cooper and his staff for conducting the investigation,” said Purvis.

Thomas worked with the sheriff’s office from 2019 until he resigned, officials said.The GCSO said they are fully cooperating with the district attorney’s office during the investigation, which remains ongoing.

News 2 previously spoke with Thomas after he and another deputy rescued a couple trapped inside a vehicle during rising floodwaters.

No additional details were immediately released.