Yesterday,  the GBI arrested and charged the Mayor of the City of Thomson, Benjamin Cary Cranford, age 52, of Thomson, Georgia, with Furnishing Prohibited Items to Inmates and Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony.

On June 6, 2024, the Thomson Police Department requested that the GBI conduct an investigation into an allegation that Cranford gave contraband (alcohol) to an inmate work detail that was working within the city limits of Thomson on June 4, 2024.

On August 14, 2024, the case was presented to a McDuffie County Grand Jury and a Grand Jury arrest warrant was issued for Cranford.

Cranford was booked into the McDuffie County Jail upon his arrest.