Former Forsyth deputy, sheriff candidate could face 50 years in prison

Former Forsyth County Sheriff's deputy and defeated Sheriff's candidate Milton "Scott" Pruitt was indicted in Federal court Aug. 20 on charges of possession child pornography, ending speculation as to when he would go to court.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000.

"Through his actions, Scott Pruitt has disgraced the law enforcement profession and the hard working and dedicated men and women of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office," said Sheriff Ted Paxton. "Officers must always be held to a higher standard, and Scott Pruitt violated that standard."

Pruitt, 40, was removed from the Sheriff's Office in May 2007 for allegedly accessing child pornography on the computer in his police cruiser. A subsequent search of his home allegedly turned up additional images of child pornography on his personal computer, which was confiscated.

"It is disturbing when someone entrusted with public safety exploits his position to commit crimes," said U.S. Attorney David Nahmias, who is prosecuting the case. "This former deputy sheriff is charged with using his access to the Forsyth County computer server to receive and view images gathered as evidence in the Sheriff Office's child exploitation investigations."

Pruitt shocked many in Forsyth County in February when he announced his candidacy for Sheriff in the July 15 primary. During his campaign, the embattled former deputy wouldn't answer questions about the child pornography charges he faced under order from his lawyer.

According to the state's constitution, Pruitt was allowed to run for and hold the office barring conviction of any felony involving "moral turpitude."

He was soundly defeated, garnering nearly eight percent of the vote to Paxton's 85 percent. He did, however, do slightly better than candidate Brian Millard.

According to United States Attorney David Nahmias, Pruitt allegedly accessed the child pornography on or about March 15, 2007.

The three-count indictment also charges that continuing through May 16, 2007, He knowingly received graphic images on his home computer, the production of which involved the use of minor children engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

"We were informed by our county Information Technology Department on March 15 that our investigative files had been improperly accessed by Pruitt," Paxton said at the time of Pruitt's arrest in May 2007.

"We immediately turned the investigation over to the G.B.I. Their investigation led to the arrest of Pruitt."

Pruitt, an eight-year veteran, turned himself in at the Forsyth County jail May 23 after being fired May 17.

Her originally faced 20 felony counts of violation of the Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation and Prevention Act of 1999, one count each of theft by taking and theft by conversion, both misdemeanors, and one count each of computer trespass and violation of oath of office, both felonies.

However, his indictment listed only three counts of receiving and possessing child pornography.

Pruitt was hired by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office in July 1999 as an entry-level detention officer and rose to the rank of sergeant in the Uniform Patrol Division. Authorities said he'd never shown any signs to make them suspicious of the crimes with which he was charged.
- www.northfulton.com

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