Former Towns County Sheriff Resigns After Guilty Plea, Sentenced to 10 Years Probation

TOWNS COUNTY, Ga. — Former Towns County Sheriff Kenneth Henderson resigned from office Monday after pleading guilty to three charges as part of a negotiated plea agreement in Towns County Superior Court.

Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney Frank Wood said Henderson pleaded guilty to simple battery against a police officer, violation of oath of office and sale of personal property. The simple battery charge is classified as a high and aggravated misdemeanor.

As part of the agreement, Henderson was required to resign as sheriff immediately and is prohibited from seeking political office for the duration of his sentence.

A judge accepted the plea agreement Monday, sentencing Henderson to 10 years of probation and ordering him to pay a $1,000 fine.

Two of the charges stem from a Dec. 13, 2024, incident involving Hiawassee Police Officer José Carvajal. Authorities said Henderson detained Carvajal at a crime scene following reports that a Towns County sheriff’s deputy had been shot in the leg.

Investigators later determined the deputy’s gunshot wound was self-inflicted, and the deputy was subsequently arrested. Henderson’s actions involving Carvajal led to the simple battery and violation of oath of office charges.

The third charge involved Henderson selling an item of his personal property to the Towns County Sheriff’s Office.

Henderson had previously been indicted by a grand jury in connection with the first case and was expected to appear before a grand jury in the second matter. The court’s acceptance of the negotiated plea agreement resolves both cases.

Henderson’s resignation took effect immediately following the plea.