Rumors fly during investigation

Eller 'still Sheriff of Towns County'

By JOAN CROTHERS Towns Sentinel Editor

Last week after the arrest of two Towns County Sheriff's Office deputies, one the Chief Deputy, rumors started flying that many other citizens/officials were either already arrested or would be.

They apparently flew all the way to Atlanta prompting Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ross Cavitt to come to Hiawassee, Ga. He interviewed on air Towns Sentinel Publisher Becky Landress about the arrest and drive-by shooting that resulted in the arrests.

Sheriff Rudy Eller was also interviewed by Cavitt in front of the Towns County Jail on the same afternoon. Sheriff Eller stated in the interview that he knew rumors were flying, but "most are not true, and I'm still Sheriff of the County." In an earlier telephone interview, Eller had said the rumors were like a "feeding frenzy."

Capt. Pat Williams, T.C. Sheriff's Office, stated Osborn made bail of $250,000 with a property bond on Thursday, July 19, and has turned in his vehicle and all Sheriff's Office gear. He is on Leave of Absence (without pay). Gibson bonded out on Friday, July 20, making $100,000 bail with a property bond. He was a part-time employee still in probation period, and now terminated.

Williams also said a report has been filed with the Sheriff's Office by Eddie Osborn that shots had been fired at him around 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 21, but when investigated no evidence was found and he had no description of a shooter or car.

Talking to two of the GBI agents on this case on Monday, July 23, 2007 they stated no one else had been arrested, but the investigation is ongoing.