In a surprising turn of events, the mayor of Thomson, Georgia, Benjamin "Benji" Cary Cranford, has been indicted on felony charges for allegedly providing alcohol to state prison inmates. The incident has sent shockwaves through the small city of approximately 6,500 residents.
According to the indictment, on June 3, 2024, Cranford reportedly purchased a bottle of Seagram's Extra Dry Gin and left it in a ditch along Georgia 150. This location was allegedly in the path of a work crew from the Jefferson County Correctional Institution, a medium-security prison.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the state's primary investigative law enforcement agency, became involved after Thomson police requested their assistance on June 6, 2024. Following a thorough investigation, Cranford was arrested on August 14, 2024, immediately after a city council meeting at Thomson City Hall.
The 52-year-old mayor now faces serious legal consequences, including charges of furnishing prohibited items to inmates and attempt to commit a felony. These offenses are considered grave, as providing contraband to inmates is a severe violation in most jurisdictions.
Cranford was released on $5,000 bail from the McDuffie County Jail. As of August 15, 2024, court records do not list a lawyer for the mayor, and he has yet to appear before a judge.
The incident has raised questions about Cranford's ability to continue serving as mayor. In Georgia, the governor has the power to suspend certain elected officials under specific circumstances. A panel may recommend to Governor Brian Kemp that the charges impair Cranford's capacity to fulfill his mayoral duties, potentially leading to his suspension until the case is resolved.
This is not the first time Cranford has faced legal challenges. Prior to his election in 2023, where he defeated a 12-year incumbent, he settled a lawsuit alleging attempts to conceal assets from a bonding company responsible for some of his paving company's debts.
As the situation unfolds, city officials have remained tight-lipped. Jason Smith, the community development director serving as the city spokesperson, stated, "As we understand the charges in this case are not related to Mr. Cranford's duties as an elected official, we do not have a comment."
The case has brought attention to Thomson, a city incorporated in 1870 and named after railroad official John Edgar Thomson. As the community grapples with this unexpected development, the legal process will determine the fate of their elected leader.