After suspicions rose about Chamblee police officer Jason Jones, the department set up an “integrity test”: send him to impound a car with $500 inside and see if he puts the cash into evidence.

“He pocketed the money,” Capt. Ernesto Ford told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday. “He was brought in to our internal affairs where he was given an opportunity to explain himself, he was terminated and arrested at the same time.”

READ: Ex-DeKalb cop stole $150,000 in traffic stops, indictment alleges

READ: DeKalb cops: Man who raped 13-year-old near park is still on the loose

READ: As DeKalb police seek witnesses, parents broken by 3-year-old’s killing

Two years later, on March 23, Jones, who’d been with the department since 2002, has pleaded guilty to theft and violation of the oath of office. He is in the DeKalb County jail awaiting transfer to state prison.

Judge Daniel Coursey sentenced him to five years, with the first to be served in custody.

Ford said the case is disappointing.

“Obviously we don’t expect that of our police officers,” he said.

Like DeKalb County News Now on Facebook | Follow on Twitter

In other news: 

Officials said they are looking at fining residents who continually dump grease down drains and are considering banning disposals in new construction.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A half acre of wetland on St. Simons Island, near Dunbar Creek and The Inn by Sea Island resort, is at the center of a legal battle that has federal appellate judges questioning the wetland's protection under the Clean Water Act. (HYOSUB SHIN/AJC)

Featured

Stacey Abrams speaks at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at Georgia State University’s convocation center in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Abrams is at the center of speculation over whether she will mount a third campaign for governor. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC