Towns sheriff arrested
By JOAN CROTHERS Towns Sentinel Editor

Towns County Sheriff Rudy Eller

The Towns Sentinel received the following press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) on Tuesday morning: "On Monday, July 30, 2007, arrest warrants were issued for Towns County Sheriff Rudy Eller. Eller is charged with Tampering with Evidence, Making False Statements, Obstruction, Hindering the Apprehension of a Criminal, and Violation of his Oath of Office."

Eller turned himself in to GBI agents Tuesday, July 31, in White County. Bond has been set at $250,000. These charges stem from an incident that occurred on July 9, 2007 during which gunshots were fired into a residence in Hiawassee.

In an interview with District Attorney Stan Gunter, he issued the following statement, "Eller is still the sheriff while under arrest. If indicted, the indictment is transmitted to the Governor.

The governor has a 15 day waiting period to allow the sheriff time to decide to voluntarily step down while the case is pending.

"After 15 days, the governor appoints a committee made up of the Attorney General and two sheriffs. The committee decides if the indictment will have such an effect that the sheriff can't carry out his duties. If such a finding is made, they recommend to the governor to suspend the sheriff. The temporary vacancy will be filled by an appointment made by the probate judge."

An additional "Affidavit" has been issued by GBI agent Clay Bridges and recorded in the Office of Clerk of the Superior Court. Bridges states that on July 9, 2007, Sheriff Eller requested that the GBI investigate an incident where gunshots were fired into the residence of Gary Dean.

The investigation revealed that Dean and Chief Deputy Eddie Osborn's wife, Michelle, "were involved in an ongoing intimate relationship." When questioned, Osborn denied doing the driveby shooting at Dean's residence/garage on Cynth Creek; however casings found at the scene "were of the same brand and caliber of ammunition that are issued to the Towns County Sheriff's Office deputies. Osborn and part-time deputy Jess Gibson were arrested on July 17 and July 16 respectively for a number of charges, Aggravated Assault being one of them. They are both out on bond.

The affidavit also states Eller first said he had cleaned the gun for Osborn and had held it for several months, but later changed his story.

Eller said that Osborn gave him the gun on July 9, shortly after the shooting. He hid the gun barrel in a secret compartment in his dresser. The GBI recovered the gun barrel and Eller admitted he had known that Osborn had done the shooting.