DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A former DeKalb County police officer has been found not guilty of forcing women to give sexual favors to avoid going to jail.
However, Jeremy Reynolds was found guilty of two counts of violation by oath of public officer when the jury returned its verdict Friday morning. The judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison. He also must surrender the certification needed to be an officer in Georgia.
Reynolds faced life in prison if convicted on the sex-related charge.
Before sentencing, Reynolds apologized.
“I apologize to everybody that I caused to be here. I’m just asking for the mercy of the court,” he said.
His mother also asked for leniency.
“He’s not a person that would harm a fly,” she said.
During deliberations on Thursday, the jury asked the judge to be able to hear the entire recorded interview of Reynolds, and they did for two hours, listening intently and taking notes.
Reynolds sat alongside his attorney, Jackie Patterson, having to hear it all over again.
In the two hour-long audio taped interview with detectives, Reynolds describes his entire encounter with Yvonne Ruiz, who sat in the courtroom.
WSBTV
