In early May, Porterdale Police Officer Trevor Jones reported to his chief he was under investigation by the GBI and U. S. Post Office. When the results of a urine test came back positive, Police Chief Jason Cripps said he had no choice.

“I had to do what was right for the city and for the citizens,” Cripps said to The News.

Cripps said Jones met with him to reveal he was under investigation by the GBI in connection with steroid use and/or sales and his connection with former Rockdale Officer Jason Hyman. Subsequently, he received a call from Special Agent in Charge Cynthia Atkins telling him Jones was being investigated by both the GBI and the U.S. Postal Inspector.

Atkins told the chief she did not think it necessary to put him on administrative leave because there was no immediate danger to the public. However, Cripps set up an appointment with Probation Officer Jennifer Hartman to request an urinalysis test.

Upon receiving Hartmann’s report 10 days later, showing the steroid screen results were positive, Cripps contact Jones, notifying him that his employment with the Porterdale Police was being terminated.

The termination letter, dated May 15, cited violation of the city’s codes on substance abuse as well as ethical conduct and conduct unbecoming an officer.

“It’s really the part of the job you hate to do,” Cripps said, “but at that point, I didn’t have a choice. I was presented with a problem and did what needed to be done.”

Jones has hired a lawyer and will be contesting the findings.

Anabolic steroids are classified as a Schedule II narcotic, and require a prescription from a doctor to be taken legally.
“It’s unfortunate,” Cripps said. “He was a hard worker and really well-liked by the community.”

In April, Heyman, a Rockdale County Sheriff’s Officer, was terminated after testing positive for anabolic steroids, a Schedule II narcotic sometimes used illegally by bodybuilders and athletes. Four other deputies — Jason Payne, Sgt. Larry Reed, Sgt. Bob Cooley and jail Deputy Chris Speyer — resigned before they were able to be drug tested.