Former Catoosa County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Arrested for Theft and Deception

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested former Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Keith Cantrell, 42, on charges of Theft by Deception, Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft by Deception, and Violation of Oath by Public Officer.

The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI’s investigation on February 6, 2025, after allegations surfaced that Cantrell had stolen funds while working off-duty security for a local church. Investigators determined that Cantrell submitted invoices for payment on security services he never performed, falsely claiming hours worked despite not showing up.

GBI agents also found that Cantrell attempted to receive additional payments for services that were never rendered. He was terminated from the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office on February 13, 2024.

Cantrell was booked into the Catoosa County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Calhoun at (706) 624-1424. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Catoosa County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.