Former Crawford Magistrate Judge Heading to Prison

KNOXVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A former Crawford County magistrate judge is heading to prison after she stole money from the court.

Andrea Peterman, who served as the county’s chief magistrate judge and Probate Court clerk, must serve 160 to 180 days in a state detention center.

Monday, she faced Superior Court Judge Tracy Moulton Jr. and pleaded  guilty to one count of fiduciary theft and one count of violating her oath of office.

Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney David Cooke wants to make sure one thing is clear.

“Anytime someone involving public trust violates that public trust they’re going to do time. So if it’s a judge or a police officer, in this circuit, violates the public’s trust they’re going to do time,” Cooke said.

Peterman will serve the remainding 10 year sentence on probation, agreeing to never seek or hold public office again.

She’s ordered to report to begin her prison term Friday, December 6 at noon.

Peterman also agreed to pay more than $12,000 to cover the costs of an audit into the Magistrate Court.