30 Georgia Troopers Dismissed Following Cheating Scandal

ATLANTA, GA — Thirty members of the Georgia State Patrol were dismissed Wednesday morning as the result of an exam cheating scandal, authorities said.

Georgia Department of Public Safety Commissioner Col. Mark W. McDonough detailed the allegations in a news conference Wednesday in Atlanta.

McDonough said an investigation revealed that the troopers, all members of the 106th trooper school, had cheated on an online examination using a variety of methods.

On Oct. 8, 2019, officials said an allegation was made that everyone at the school had cheated during an online examination for the speed detector operator component of the trooper school curriculum. This test is required in order for troopers to be certified in operating a speed gun.

“An investigation was opened on Oct. 15," McDonough said. “Official standard investigators conducted interviews with two members of the 106th school and corroborated the allegation initially made.”

Between Oct. 25 and Nov. 13, investigators said they interviewed troopers who had graduated from the 106th school regarding the allegation. The investigation concluded earlier this month, officials said, leading to the dismissals Wednesday morning.

According to McDonough, the allegations were as follows:

• Allegation one: Everyone in the 106th school cheated on the speed detection operator exam.
• Allegation two: A cadet at the time helped other cadets with their online exams.
• Allegation three: Three cadets at the time helped another cadet with passing his exam.
• Allegation four: A training instructor had printed a written makeup exam and permitted two cadets who had failed the exam to return to the dorm room with their makeup exam and turn it in the next day.

All of the allegations were sustained, authorities said.

At the start of the 106th school, McDonough said, trooper cadets signed a DPS form acknowledging rules and conducts for cadets, which included the expectations for their performance in the area of academic integrity.

All of the cadets were determined to have violated the DPS code of conduct policy, according to McDonough.

During the investigation, investigators said they found that cadets used written or typed notes, received direct assistance from another cadet on test answers, used test answers and questions posted by a cadet on the "GroupMe" application, and used internet search engines for test answers and questions.

Additionally, two Snapchat groups were created that included several members of the class facilitating this activity, officials said.

"It's a punch in the gut," McDonough told reporters Wednesday. "Our whole mode is to produce an officer that the public can trust. When a person is pulled over, when they are given a speeding citation, they should feel that the training that the person received on the exam to get that certification has been done so without cheating."

During the news conference, McDonough said additional disciplinary action could be taken. He said he also made a request for a complete audit of the training department, which he hopes will start sometime next week.

According to McDonough, the GSP cheating scandal came to light when a trooper's girlfriend exposed him. When confronted with the allegation, the trooper told superiors that, "Well, I'm not the only one who cheated. I'm not the only one who did this." This led to GSP further investigating, which, in turn, led to the widespread dismissal.

Here's a list of the troopers identified by authorities as taking part in the cheating scandal:

• Erguens Accilien - Post 21 - Sylvania
• David Allan - Post 6 - Gainesville
• Jalin Anderson - Post 33 - Milledgeville
• Erik Austell - Post 15 - Perry
• Evan Bauza - Post 11 - Hinesville
• Logan Beck - Post 23 - Brunswick
• Christopher Cates - Post 27 – Blue Ridge
• Seferino Chavez - Post 47 – Forest Park
• Demon Clark - Post 17 - Washington
• Christopher Cordell - Post 5 - Dalton
• Clint Donaldson - Post 49 – Motor Unit
• Eric Guerrero - Post 36 - Douglas
• Jonathan Hayes - Post 29 - Paulding
• Nicholas Hawkins - Post 46 - Monroe
• Bradley Hunt - Post 2 - LaGrange
• Clarence Johnson - Post 25 - Grovetown
• Evan Joyner - Post 2 - LaGrange
• Richard Justice - Post 25 - Grovetown
• Malcolm Martinez - Post 47 – Forest Park
• Rebecca Moran - Post 51 - Gwinnett
• Paul Osuegbu - Post 6 - Gainesville
• Jose Perez - Post 13 - Tifton
• Patrick Pollett - Post 25 - Grovetown
• Troy Pudder - Post 30 - Cordele
• Caleb Pyle - Post 24 – Newnan
• Daysi Ramirez - Post 15 - Perry
• Gabriel Rampy - Post 4 – Villa Rica
• Adam Salter - Post 26 - Thomaston
• Jerry Slade - Post 30 - Cordele
• Kyle Thompson - Post 36 - Douglas
• James Vaughan - Post 10 - Americus
• Brian Whelehan - Post 23 - Brunswick
• Kelley Whitaker - Post 14 - Colquitt