Two Barrow County deputies charged with selling contraband, including vape pens, to inmates

Two officers who worked for the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office were arrested Monday after investigators said they were smuggling contraband into the jail where it was sold to inmates.

The pair were identified by the sheriff’s office as Hunter Lewis Perkins, 21, and Xavier Jamal McWhorter, 28, both of Winder.

They are charged with bribery, trading with inmates without the consent of the warden, providing items that inmates are prohibited from possessing and violating their oath of office.

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The sheriff was made aware of the alleged conduct by other employees and as a result, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was asked to investigate.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said Tuesday that the jailers began by bringing in cans of dip tobacco and this escalated to vape pens and CBD vape pens.

The officers, who lost their jobs, said they were doing it to make “a quick dollar,” Smith said. The sheriff said the activity apparently began back in January or February.

“I’m very disappointed in them,” the sheriff said. “Somebody made the comment, ‘Why would you throw away your career.’ But I’ll be honest, a lot of young people don’t look at this as a career. They look at it as another job.

“I’m more disappointed in the fact they knew better and hopefully it will send a message to those even thinking about it.”

Smith also issued a statement saying, “The trust that exists between our office and the community is very important to all of us.”