BRASELTON — Former Braselton Police Chief Michael Steffman resigned Wednesday and was arrested hours later following a months-long investigation into allegations that he used law-enforcement systems to track and harass multiple people.
Jackson County authorities charged Steffman with felony violation of oath by a public officer, misdemeanor stalking, harassing communications and several counts tied to the improper use of law-enforcement license-plate data. He was booked into the Jackson County Jail Wednesday afternoon and released on a $13,000 bond within an hour.
Newly obtained court records show concerns surfaced months before the arrest. In August, a Jackson County woman filed for a temporary protective order alleging Steffman used automatic license-plate readers to monitor her movements, followed her to different locations and contacted her repeatedly from multiple phone numbers. The petition claimed he tracked her to neighborhoods, local venues and other sites and sent her maps of her whereabouts. A Superior Court judge reviewed the accusations but denied the order, noting the claims involved past conduct and advising the woman to file a report with the sheriff’s office.
Steffman joined the Braselton Police Department in 2005 and served in multiple roles before being named interim chief in 2024. He was sworn in as chief in April of this year. Town officials had announced his sudden resignation Wednesday morning, attributing it to personal reasons.
Town Manager Jennifer Scott issued a statement acknowledging the charges and said officials were disappointed by the circumstances but would respect the legal process as it moves forward. She said the town remains focused on maintaining strong public safety services.
Following Steffman’s resignation, the town appointed Captain Zack Tiller to serve as interim chief while the investigation continues and the department stabilizes operations.
Authorities have not said how many individuals may have been affected or whether further charges are possible. The investigation remains active.
