DeKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has confirmed a superior court judge has appointed an interim DeKalb County sheriff.
DeKalb County Superior Chief Judge Courtney L. Johnson on Tuesday morning named Capt. Ruth Stringer as the temporary DeKalb County Sheriff.
The appointment was made less than a day after Gov. Nathan Deal issued a 40-day suspension for DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffery Mann.
“The governor probably did the right thing, making him step away for 40 days and giving him time to think about what he did,” said voter Michael Cody.
“If he’s guilty, which I think he is by the video, what are we waiting for?” said voter Hosey Cistrunk.
Sheriff Stringer, who will lead the department for 40 day, was sworn in hours after Gov. Deal suspended Mann.
Mann was arrested on May 6 for allegedly exposing himself in Piedmont Park and running from an Atlanta police officer.
The Atlanta Police Department officer who arrested Mann says he witnessed the sheriff performing sex acts on himself and exposing other private parts.
Mann has pleaded not guilty to indecency and obstruction charges and will face trial in Atlanta Municipal Court in early July.
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A state investigation was ordered through the governor’s office and a panel of two state sheriffs and the attorney general recommended Mann’s suspension.
Deal issued that suspension on Monday night.
Ahead of a June hearing to try and block the state investigation, Mann disciplined himself with a weeklong suspension.
During that time, he had court appearances, as well as interviews with the investigative panel.
Channel 2’s Nicole Carr said that Mann is likely to return to his position this summer.
State investigators described to Carr the quarter-mile chase that ended in Mann’s arrest.
Those investigators also spoke with Mann and his attorney after their unsuccessful attempt to squash the probe.
Legal analyst Esther Panitch told Carr that as someone with no priors and a nonviolent offense, it’s unlikely Mann will ever see a day in jail and then he can keep his job.