Former DeKalb County Deputy Sentenced After Guilty Plea in Inmate Sex Case

DECATUR, Ga. – A former DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office deputy accused of having a sexual relationship with an inmate was sentenced this week after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced. The DeKalb County deputy was indicted in November of 2024.

28-year-old Joann Marks entered a guilty plea on Monday, January 12, 2026, to sexual contact by an employee or agent in the first degree, possession of items prohibited for inmates, and two counts of violation of oath by a public officer.

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney L. Johnson sentenced Marks to 12 years, with two years to be served in confinement. Marks is required to surrender to the DeKalb County Jail on January 19, 2026. The sentence also includes 500 hours of community service.

Marks was granted First Offender treatment, meaning the conviction may be withheld if she successfully completes all terms of her sentence.

The case stemmed from an April 2024 investigation after jail staff discovered a contraband cell phone and cigarettes during a search of an inmate’s cell. As part of the inquiry, investigators reviewed surveillance footage from a medical unit holding cell, which showed Marks alone with the inmate on multiple occasions.

According to investigators, Marks admitted during an interview that she provided the inmate with the cell phone and later acknowledged engaging in sexual intercourse with him. She was arrested and terminated from her position with the sheriff’s office the same day.

Following an internal investigation, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards Unit referred the case to the District Attorney’s Office. The prosecution was handled by the office’s Anti-Corruption Unit.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Steve Ruth, with assistance from Senior Investigator Steven DiMasi.