Georgia City Mayor Arrested for Allegedly Giving Alcohol to an Inmate on Work Det

Photo byMCSO

A Georgia city mayor has been arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation following an investigation and a grand jury indictment, officials announced on Wednesday.

According to GBI officials, the Thomson Police Department requested the agency to investigate an allegation that Thomson City Mayor, 52-year-old Benjamin Cary Cranford, provided alcohol to an inmate on work detail within the city limits on June 4, 2024.

After the investigation, the case was presented to a McDuffie County Grand Jury, which returned true bills on the charges. Cranford was charged with Furnishing Prohibited Items to Inmates and Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony. He was taken into custody this afternoon and booked into the McDuffie County Jail.

GBI officials stated that anyone with information regarding this case should contact them at 706-595-2575. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at [https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online](https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online), or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Attributions: GBI