Former Piedmont Circuit ADA in Banks County Pleads Guilty to Theft

A former Northeast Georgia Assistant District Attorney and Royston native will serve 10 years after pleading guilty to 21 counts of theft by taking.

According to a WDUN report, 33-year old Samuel Elias Skelton of Royston and his attorney reached a plea deal January 25th at which time Piedmont Judicial Circuit Senior Judge Stephen E. Boswell handed down the 10-year sentence.

Skelton was indicted following a criminal investigation begun by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Aug. 28, 2015.

Agents with the GBI noted in a prepared statement that the case originated after the Banks County Sheriff’s Office discovered irregularities in its evidence room involving Skelton.

After a meeting between District Attorney Brad Smith and Banks County Sheriff Carlton Speed following that discovery, the GBI was requested to investigate.

That investigation uncovered thefts of court fines and fees by former ADA Skelton, according to the GBI.

Skelton was terminated from employment by the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, which serves Banks, Barrow and Jackson counties, on Oct. 6, 2015.

According to Banks County Court documents, Skelton was sentenced to 10 years and a $500 fine on Count 1 of theft by taking.

He was also sentenced to 10 years each on Counts 2-21, to be served concurrent with Count 1.
Under the plea agreement Counts 22-33 were not prosecuted.

Skelton will serve two years of the 10-year sentence in prison and the remaining eight years on probation. He must also pay $7,288 in restitution.

Court documents state Skelton may not work for any governmental agency and he will not be allowed to practice law for entire 10-year sentence.

However, he was given first-offender status which means once his sentence is completed, the charges will be taken off his record.

Skelton will be held in a prison or jail facility which houses law enforcement and public officials and will be separate from the general prison population.