Vidalia Police Chief Brian Scott along with Glynn County Police Chief John Powell and three other former county police officers have been indicted by a Glynn County Grand Jury. According to a press release from the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office, the indictments were unsealed Thursday night sometime around 9:00 in the courtroom of a Glynn County Superior Court Judge.
The charges arose from a scandal in 2019 that involved a former Glynn County narcotics officer, who had inappropriate relations with a confidential informant. It is also alleged that information about a police chase involving the Glynn-Brunswick Narcotics Enforcement Team, which resulted in a death was suppressed by those indicted.
Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney, Jackie L. Johnson appointed former Clayton County D.A. Tracy Lawson to serve as a Special Prosecutor in November of last year to determine if further charges were appropriate.
James Cassada, a former member of the Drug Enforcement team pled guilty to two counts of violation of Oath of Office and as a condition of his sentence, Cassada “agreed to cooperate with further investigations and potential prosecution.”
As a result of her investigation and review a Grand Jury was convened on Wednesday and Thursday and the Indictments were handed down.
Scott was indicted on the two counts of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer, along with one count each of Subordination of Perjury and Influencing a Witness.
Scott along with the others indicted are expected to be processed and released on Bond sometime Friday afternoon, according to Mitch Shook who is currently representing Scott in the charges.
Vidalia City Manager Nick Overstreet issued the following statement:
“A grand jury in Glynn County returned four true bills on an indictment that was presented this morning in Glynn County Superior Court against the City of Vidalia Police Chief, Brian Scott, and others named in the indictment.  The four counts against Chief Scott include two counts of Violation of Oath by Public Officer, one count of Influencing a Witness, and one count of Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony.  Chief Scott was placed on administrative leave with pay immediately pending investigation of the indictment and surrounding facts.”