Christopher Lee HammontreeA 14-year veteran of the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office could face criminal charges after allegations that he pawned his county-issued weapons for cash.
Authorities said Chris Hammontree, a patrol deputy, is on paid leave while the sheriff’s office investigates whether he pawned his rifle and shotgun at American Pawn shop in Dalton, Ga.
Each officer is issued a handgun, rifle and shotgun at the department, said Maj. John Gibson, and the officer is responsible for taking care of the weapons but doesn’t own them.
When the sheriff’s office pawn unit was checking local shop records, they found Hammontree’s name on the list and an internal affairs investigation was opened, Gibson said. Authorities discovered Hammontree had pawned the guns in exchange for a loaned amount of money, but they didn’t say how much.
Hammontree could face a charge of theft by conversion for taking somebody else’s property for his personal benefit, Gibson said.