Former Cobb County Deputy Indicted for Fraud After Claiming Fake Illness

A Cobb County Grand Jury has indicted former sheriff’s deputy Mark Ryan Hampton, 38, on multiple charges related to defrauding individuals and organizations through false claims of illness, District Attorney Sonya F. Allen announced.

Hampton, who served as a deputy sheriff for five years, is accused of soliciting money through fundraising and gifts by falsely claiming to have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and experiencing complications. He was indicted on charges of Violation of Oath by Public Officer and Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

An investigation began in November 2021 after the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office received multiple complaints regarding a social media account linked to Hampton. He was arrested on June 13, 2022.

“This indictment reflects our commitment to upholding the law and ensuring that public trust is maintained. He betrayed that trust by deceiving others for personal gain. No one should ever feel they are above the law,” said District Attorney Allen.

The case remains ongoing.