Former Bibb County deputy sentenced to 30 years in prison for incest

Dorough’s wife, Ashley Dorough, was also arrested during the March investigation and was charged with first-degree cruelty to children and influencing witnesses.

UPDATE (9/10/2026) A former Bibb County Sheriff’s Office deputy was sentenced to 60 years, with the first 30 years to be served in prison, after pleading guilty to three counts of incest, according to the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

46-year-old Michael Dorough entered the guilty plea Wednesday in Jones County Superior Court.

The District Attorney’s Office released the following statement:

“We hope today provides justice and closure for the victims and family members impacted by the Defendant’s crimes.”

The District Attorney’s Office also thanked the Jones County Sheriff’s Office for its work on the case and specifically recognized Investigator Crystal Murphy.

Dorough was arrested in March following an investigation by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office. At the time of his arrest, the sheriff’s office said Dorough was employed as a sergeant with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and faced charges of incest, first-degree cruelty to children and influencing witnesses.

Following his arrest, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office told 41NBC that Dorough was no longer employed by the agency.

Dorough’s wife, Ashley Dorough, was also arrested during the March investigation and was charged with first-degree cruelty to children and influencing witnesses, according to the Jones County Sheriff’s Office.

ORIGINAL (3/17/2026)

GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Bibb County Sheriff’s Office deputy and his wife have been arrested on multiple charges following an investigation by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a Jones County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post Tuesday, its investigators, with assistance from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Sgt. Michael Scott Dorough, who is employed with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

Michael Dorough, who jail records show is 45 years old, is charged with incest, cruelty to children in the first degree and influencing witnesses, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office says his wife, Ashley Dorough, was also arrested. Jail records show the 40-year-old is charged with cruelty to children in the first degree and influencing witnesses.

Both Michael and Ashley Dorough are being held without bond, according to deputies. The Jones County Sheriff’s Office said the case remains active and ongoing, and additional charges are expected.

“The Jones County Sheriff’s Office takes all allegations of this nature seriously and remains committed to thoroughly investigating these cases to ensure justice is served,” the post stated.

We reached out to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office for additional information.

“Michael Dorough was arrested today and turned over to Jones County Sheriff’s Office Deputies,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “The JCSO can provide you with further details regarding their investigation. He is no longer employed by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.”