Former Floyd County Sheriff’s Sergeant, Cody James Waters, 26, pleaded guilty this week to stealing from the agency.

Waters, who had been in charge of Floyd County’s anti-drug CHAMP program in local schools stole nearly $7,000 in funds for the program. 

The thefts reportedly began during the pandemic.

Waters pleaded guilty to two counts of theft by taking and making false statements and violation of the oath of office.

He was sentenced to serve three years in prison and seventeen years on probation.  He must all repay the stolen funds and perform 400 hours of community service upon his release from prison.

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Additional felony charges has been filed against Sergeant Cody Waters, a 24 year-old Floyd County Sheriff’s deputy who was accused of stealing funds.

According to the latest findings, on June 2, 2020, Waters used a debit card belonging to the sheriff’s office to transfer $1,200 in funds using MoneyGram to his personal account.  He is then accused of making false statements and writings about the incident.

On November 18, 2021, he is accused of using the Floyd County Sheriff’s office debit card to remove $100 from am ATM machine on Three River’s Drive.    Waters told investigators that he used the funds to enter a float in the Rome Christmas Parade. However, that as well was allegedly found to be false.

Waters is now additionally charged with two counts financial transaction card fraud, two counts felony theft by taking and false statements and writings.

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The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office recently conducted an audit of all of its financial accounts. During the review some irregularities were discovered in one of our accounts that warranted an investigation by an outside agency. The FCSO contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and asked them to conduct an investigation. As a result of that investigation, it was determined that Sergeant Cody Waters, 24 of Rome, had inappropriately converted funds from one of our bank accounts and used them for his personal use. Reports said that Waters used a debit card belonging to the sheriff’s office drug awareness and education fund to pay for his power bill

Cody Waters employment with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office has been terminated and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has charged him with the following:

·        Theft by Taking (misdemeanor)

·        Financial Transaction Card Fraud (felony)

·        Violation of Oath of Office (felony)

“We are extremely disappointed that this occurred within our agency. However, these actions cannot and will not be tolerated by anyone that represents our agency. We hold, and will continue to hold, our employees to the highest standards. Our office will continue to be transparent and accountable to the citizens of Floyd County,” said Floyd County Sheriff Dave Roberson