STATENVILLE — Echols County Sheriff Donald Fender, who has been the subject of a federal investigation, resigned Friday.

Chief Deputy Randy Courson was sworn in as sheriff just after 5 p.m. by Southern Circuit Superior Court Judge Arthur McLane. Courson, 26, is believed to be the youngest of Georgia’s 159 sheriff’s. He will serve out Fender’s unexpired term and said Friday he planned to stand for election in 2004.

Echols County Probate Judge Carl Rodgers said he was consulting with County Attorney Warren Turner to determine whether a special election would be required, but said that he did not believe one would be necessary.

Fender was elected to succeed Barry Sasser in 2000. He previously served as probate judge for Echols County.

“I am truly honored for the opportunity I have had in serving as sheriff of Echols County, however, I have decided to tender my resignation,” Fender wrote in his resignation letter to Gov. Sonny Perdue. “… I have always been grateful to serve the people of Echols County, and while I would appreciate continuing my work, I feel that it is in the county’s best interest if I tender my resignation.”

Rodgers confirmed that Fender’s departure was spurred by a federal investigation, but the judge said he could not be more specific about the charges.

Courson has been with the sheriff’s department since 1997 and has served as chief deputy since 1999 under Sasser.

A shakeup within the department seems likely.

“There will be some changes as far as staff goes,” Courson said. The Echols County Sheriff’s Department currently employs five deputies.

Courson said he did not think his age would be a barrier to effective service. The minimum age to run for sheriff in Georgia is 25. He said he was honored by the opportunity to serve the people of Echols County.

“I feel like the former sheriff and the sheriff before that (chose me as chief deputy) based on my ability to supervise the office, supervise the deputies and run the office when they weren’t there. I felt confident in my position as chief deputy, and I feel comfortable that I can handle the duties of the job,” he said.

Courson said there would be minor changes to the way the office is operated, and a policies and procedures manual would be put in place, but noted that just moment after being sworn in that “I haven’t really had a lot of time to think about it.”

In 1996, former Sheriff Charles Carter was sentenced to 14 years in prison on federal charges of conspiracy to traffic marijuana through South Georgia and North Florida.



To contact reporter Bill Roberts, please call 244-3400, ext. 245.