Criminal Investigation Division
Phone: (706) 839-1724
Fax: (706) 839-7065

The Criminal Investigations Division is responsible for investigating all crimes referred from the Uniform Patrol Division or reported to the Criminal Investigations Division. Criminal Investigators gather information to verify that a crime has been committed; obtain evidence to identify; arrest and convict those who violate the law; and to locate stolen property.

They also investigate crimes against persons, which includes domestic violence, rape, child molestation, cruelty to children, threats, harassing phone calls, statutory rape, assaults, stalking, murders, computer crimes, fraud, and homicide.

They also investigate property crimes such as: burglary, theft, auto theft and other crimes against property and recover stolen property whether locally or another jurisdiction. 

Our Investigators are well trained in juvenile crimes, abuse laws, child exploitation, and child pornography. They work closely with the Department of Family and Children Services, D.A.'s office, Board of Education, Juvenile Court, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies.

The Habersham County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division is comprised of 5 investigators and 1 uniform Deputy who patrols and works with the SPOT unit (Sexual Predator and Offender Tracking Unit). Sex offender laws and tracking of sex offenders are enforced by the Criminal Investigations Division.

The hours of operation are Monday -Friday 8am- 6pm. An investigator is assigned to an on call status until 8am the next day, this provides for a 24 hour a day investigator.

Investigators are assigned cases daily. Your assigned investigator will contact you by phone or with a letter advising you they have received your incident report. You will be provided with their phone number and email should you need to contact them during business hours.

Should you receive information on your case after the investigator has gone off duty leave them a phone or email message and they will contact you at their earliest convenience. If you wish you can contact the investigator via email form the below links.

Logging and maintaining the Evidence Room is handled by the Criminal Investigations Division.

The Criminal Investigation Division works closely with pawn shops concerning stolen property.

Criminal Investigations Division
Captain Rick Salemi 105
rsalemi@habershamga.com

Fraud Unit
The Forgery/Fraud Unit of the Habersham County Sheriff's Office investigates financial crimes which occur in the County, consisting of forgery, financial transaction card fraud (unauthorized use of credit, check, debit and EBT cards or account numbers), theft by swindle (scams, con games, misrepresentation), identity theft, and embezzlement.

Lieutenant Mike Free 112
mfree@habershamga.com

Domestic Violence Unit
Domestic violence is a serious and prevalent social problem affecting the quality of life in Habersham County. Recognizing the need to enhance this area of law enforcement response, the Habersham County Sheriff's Office with the help of a state funded grant created the domestic violence unit in 2010.

Commander Richard Stein overseas the domestic violence unit. The unit is well educated in intimate relationship violence and provide officer training, and serves as a liaison to the community. They conduct follow-up interviews, obtain additional evidence (medical reports, photos, etc.), prepare arrest warrants, and insures complete case files are forwarded to the district attorney's office for prosecution. The unit also works closely with The Circle of Hope a victim advocacy center.

Commander Richard Stein 114
rstein@habershamga.com

Special Victims Unit
The Habersham County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit is supervised by Commander Andrew Scott. The unit investigates all sexually related and felony child abuse and neglect offenses. These cases are very sensitive in nature and require highly specialized training in conducting sexually related investigations.

Commander Andrew Scott 115
ascott@habershamga.com

Burglary Suppression Unit
Both Investigator Justin Williams and Investigator Heidi Roberts work in the Burglary Suppression Unit. The purpose of the unit is to reduce chronic and persistent crime problems specifically burglary, entering automobiles and theft. This unit is comprised of two highly trained investigators. We also have three  K-9 units available to help suppress crime and assist the unit as needed. The unit works closely with local city police municipalities, Mountain Judicial Circuit Narcotics and Criminal Investigative Services and other state agencies.

Investigator Justin Williams 116
jwilliams@habershamga.com

Investigator Heidi Roberts 111
hroberts@habershamga.com

S.P.O.T. Sexual Predator / Offender Tracking Unit
The SPOT unit works closely with state and local law enforcement agencies in monitoring high risk sex offenders and predators.

Uniformed Investigator Wesley Welborrn 126
wwelborn@habershamga.com

Evidence Tech.  J. Bassinger 154
jbassinger@habershamga.com