DALTON, Ga. — On Dec. 6, Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Beth Gomez was named the county’s employee of the year for 2017. 

Less than three weeks later, she would resign from the department in the midst of an investigation into her claims that use of testosterone was widespread among deputies.

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” said sheriff’s Maj. John Gibson.

On Dec. 20, Gomez, a 17-year veteran of the force, testified in court on behalf of Kelly Cox, a former sheriff’s office animal control officer who had been charged with child molestation and other charges. A jury found Cox not guilty.

Gomez testified that she had seen Cox around children, including her own grandchildren, and did not believe he “would ever harm a child.”

On cross-examination, Assistant District Attorney Keely Parker asked Gomez, “Were you aware that the defendant was illegally taking drugs?”

“No,” said Gomez.

“Now, you arrest people who take drugs if they are not prescribed; is that correct?” said Parker.

“Correct,” said Gomez.

“Would you trust someone who was taking drugs without a prescription?” asked Parker.

“Are you talking about the testosterone he was taking? Because half the male officers at Whitfield County get it from the nurse, if that’s what you are talking about,” said Gomez.

“So she illegally is giving drugs out to the deputies at Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office?” asked Parker.

“You will have to take that up with her. I don’t know, but I do know of several male officers that take testosterone,” said Gomez.

“Were you aware that the defendant was taking it illegally?” said Parker.

“No, I was not,” said Gomez.

“Had you known would you have turned him in?” asked Parker.

“Yes, I would have,” said Gomez.

Cox’s attorney, Brian Steel, said he “could not speak to” any claims about illegal drug use by Cox or other deputies.

Gibson said he was “floored” when he heard about Gomez’s testimony and the sheriff’s office immediately opened an investigation.

“When we interviewed her, she basically recanted her testimony,” he said.

A phone number for Gomez could not be found.

Gibson said Gomez acknowledged that half the male deputies were not using testosterone but that a few might have been “several years ago.”

Asked if the sheriff’s office considered bringing in an outside agency such as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to investigate the claims, Gibson said the sheriff’s office would have to have at least some evidence a crime had been committed before it could do that.

“It was actually the GBI that brought her testimony to our attention. They were involved in the investigation (of Cox),” he said. “To bring in an outside agency, we need more than allegations, we need some evidence, and we haven’t been able to find any evidence to support any of her testimony.”

Gomez resigned on Dec. 22.

Gibson said that since she resigned while an investigation was underway her information was forwarded to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) which will conduct its own investigation. A phone message left at POST headquarters was not immediately returned Thursday afternoon.

“Based on what I know currently, I’m not inclined to pursue any perjury charge against her,” said District Attorney Bert Poston.