GBI: Courthouse AED theft leads to arrest in Telfair County

The GBI says James Richard Joines Jr. is charged with theft by taking and interference with government property.

McRAE-HELENA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A McRae-Helena man has been arrested and charged in connection with the theft of a defibrillator from the Telfair County Courthouse, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The GBI said investigators arrested 56-year-old James Richard Joines Jr. on Wednesday. He is charged with one count of misdemeanor theft by taking and one count of felony interference with government property.

According to the GBI, Sheriff Sim Davidson asked the agency to investigate after an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was reported stolen from the courthouse on September 9. Investigators determined Joines took the AED and removed it from the courthouse. The device was later recovered.

A Facebook page for the Telfair County Emergency Management Agency lists Joines as the EMA director. 41NBC left a voicemail seeking comment but has not heard back.

The GBI said the case will be given to the Oconee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review once the investigation is complete.