A former Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputy found to have provided alcohol to minors in a 2013 internal investigation has been hired by the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy.
Justin Tabor had worked at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for about four years when misconduct allegations involving teenagers — some of whom were part of the Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post program — arose accusing Tabor of providing alcohol to teens on more than one occasion, according to Chattanooga Times Free Press archives.
Department investigators said Tabor, who started working at the department in 2009, also slept in the same bed as a girl in the program but there was no proof they had a sexual relationship before she turned 18. Parents involved declined to pursue charges against Tabor, and officials said alcohol was not provided at any of the Explorer-sponsored events.
The investigation was started after the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office referred the matter to the Sheriff’s Office to handle administratively, officials said at the time.
The Explorer Post program is open to youths between ages 14 and 21 and allows participants to explore law enforcement careers through a supervised community policing program, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office website and social media page. The program is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America.