Topline: A Georgia sheriff is accused of taking cash to make DUI cases disappear, then later providing a gun to a convicted felon.
Published: July 16, 2026 4:30 pm ET
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Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams (via Facebook)
BURKE COUNTY, GA — A federal indictment says Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams took money from people trying to get pending DUI citations dismissed, then later provided a firearm to a convicted felon, turning the county’s top lawman into the focus of a public corruption case.
Williams, 55, of Waynesboro, was indicted on five counts of extortion under color of official right and one count of transferring a firearm to a convicted felon. According to a WSB-TV report citing the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, prosecutors allege he accepted payments from five different people between August 2021 and April 2022 in exchange for dismissing pending driving under the influence citations.
Prosecutors also allege Williams provided a gun in January 2023 to a person who had previously been convicted of a felony. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, according to the Justice Department.
If Williams is convicted, each extortion count carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, while the firearm charge carries a possible sentence of up to 15 years, along with potential fines and supervised release.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Georgia Sheriff Indicted After Feds Say He Took Money to Dismiss DUI Citations
A Georgia sheriff is accused of taking cash to make DUI cases disappear, then later providing a gun to a convicted felon.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: July 16, 2026 4:30 pm ET
Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams (via Facebook)
BURKE COUNTY, GA — A federal indictment says Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams took money from people trying to get pending DUI citations dismissed, then later provided a firearm to a convicted felon, turning the county’s top lawman into the focus of a public corruption case.
Williams, 55, of Waynesboro, was indicted on five counts of extortion under color of official right and one count of transferring a firearm to a convicted felon. According to a WSB-TV report citing the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, prosecutors allege he accepted payments from five different people between August 2021 and April 2022 in exchange for dismissing pending driving under the influence citations.
Prosecutors also allege Williams provided a gun in January 2023 to a person who had previously been convicted of a felony. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, according to the Justice Department.
If Williams is convicted, each extortion count carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, while the firearm charge carries a possible sentence of up to 15 years, along with potential fines and supervised release.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Georgia Sheriff Indicted After Feds Say He Took Money to Dismiss DUI Citations
A Georgia sheriff is accused of taking cash to make DUI cases disappear, then later providing a gun to a convicted felon.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: July 16, 2026 4:30 pm ET
Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams (via Facebook)
BURKE COUNTY, GA — A federal indictment says Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams took money from people trying to get pending DUI citations dismissed, then later provided a firearm to a convicted felon, turning the county’s top lawman into the focus of a public corruption case.
Williams, 55, of Waynesboro, was indicted on five counts of extortion under color of official right and one count of transferring a firearm to a convicted felon. According to a WSB-TV report citing the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, prosecutors allege he accepted payments from five different people between August 2021 and April 2022 in exchange for dismissing pending driving under the influence citations.
Prosecutors also allege Williams provided a gun in January 2023 to a person who had previously been convicted of a felony. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, according to the Justice Department.
If Williams is convicted, each extortion count carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, while the firearm charge carries a possible sentence of up to 15 years, along with potential fines and supervised release.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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