Former Richmond County Sheriff’s Major Arrested on Pandering, Oath Violation Charges

AUGUSTA, Ga. – A former major with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested after investigators say he solicited prostitution and sodomy in the Augusta area.

Robert “Robbie” W. Silas, 59, of Hephzibah, is charged with felony pandering, misdemeanor solicitation of sodomy and felony violation of oath of office, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Silas was arrested Aug. 31 at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Richmond County Jail.

The investigation began after the FBI received a tip concerning Silas and suspected illegal activity, according to the GBI.

On Aug. 28, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to investigate allegations that Silas had solicited sodomy and prostitution in the Augusta area.

Authorities have not disclosed when or where the alleged conduct occurred, who Silas is accused of soliciting or how the allegations relate to the violation of oath of office charge.

The FBI’s Augusta Resident Agency assisted with the investigation.

The GBI said the investigation remains active. Anyone with information can contact the agency’s Regional Investigative Office in Thomson at 706-595-2575.