Bartow 911 Supervisor Fired, Charged With Computer Crime: Sheriff

CARTERSVILE, GA — The Bartow County 911 operator who authorities said failed to sound warning sirens before a tornado on April 13 was both fired and arrested Monday morning.

The Daily Tribune News reports that Lt. Stormie Watkins was terminated following a joint investigation of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office

“Between Sunday, April 12, and Monday, April 13, you failed to follow the policy of the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office and 911 Operations Center and activate the severe weather sirens during a tornado warning,” wrote Bartow County Sheriff’s Captain Gregory Clark in Watkins’ termination letter.

Investigators also reported that in the 10 days leading up to the tornado, Watkins “accessed and disseminated criminal justice information” for personal reasons, which violates both the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office policy and Georgia Crime Information Center Council rules.

No warning sirens were sounded before a tornado swept through Cartersville at about 1 a.m. on April 13. William McConnell, 34, was killed when high winds knocked a tree down onto the bedroom where he was sleeping.

Watkins was taken into custody Monday morning at the jail, where she was charged with three felony counts of computer invasion of privacy. If convicted, she could be imprisoned for up to 15 years and fined up to $50,000. Watkins was released Monday afternoon on a $7,500 property bond.

CORONAVIRUS NEWS:

• When Hair Salons, Dining, Theaters, Churches Will Re-Open In GA
• Coronavirus: 1 In 4 Infected At Cartersville Nursing Home
• Kroger Now Requiring Employees To Wear Masks: GA Coronavirus