VALDOSTA — A Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, Jonathon Barnes, has been arrested and charged in a domestic dispute case.

The Sheriff’s Office report states that Sunday afternoon, the family of a female victim called 9-1-1 to report she had been assaulted by her live-in-boyfriend. Upon the arrival of deputies, it was immediately determined that the person being accused was a deputy with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators with the Criminal Investigation Division of the Sheriff’s Office were notified and assumed the investigation.

During the investigation it was determined that Barnes and the female were involved in a verbal dispute that turned physical when Barnes demanded to see the female victim’s cellphone. When the female refused, Barnes physically assaulted the victim and took her telephone in order to see the content. The female sustained injuries but did not require medical treatment.

The following Monday, investigators sought criminal arrest warrants for Barnes. He has since appeared in the Lowndes County Magistrate Court for an arraignment hearing. A bond was sent that was later posted.

Following the culmination of the criminal and an internal investigation, Sheriff Prine immediately terminated Barnes’ employment. Sheriff Prine stated “This is an unfortunate situation, but we as law enforcement are held to a higher standard and this conduct will not be tolerated by any employee at the Sheriff’s Office.”

Barnes began with the Sheriff’s Office in the Jail Operations Division and had since progressed to the position of deputy sheriff.

Sheriff Prine indicated the Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at 229.671.2950 or anonymous tips can be provided at 229.671.2985 or on line at www.lowndessheriff.com.