Former Kingsland officer Dereck Thomas charged with felony theft, false documents, and oath violation

According to a September 18, 2026 Georgia Bureau of Investigation release, former Kingsland Police Department officer Dereck Thomas, 33, was charged with three counts of felony theft by receiving, one count of felony theft by taking, one count of felony removal or falsification of identification number, one count of filing false documents, and one count of violation of oath of office. Thomas turned himself in on September 16, 2026, and was booked into the Camden County Jail.

GBI said Kingsland PD asked the bureau on November 26, 2024, to investigate the theft of a truck from Bennett Chrysler in Kingsland. On June 25, 2026, a 2018 Chevy Silverado stolen from the dealership was stopped at an inspection station in Yulee, Florida. Thomas was driving the truck and pulling a trailer reported stolen from the Camden County School System; the trailer contained a lawn mower also reported stolen from a Bennett Chevrolet lot. GBI also said Thomas possessed two tablets belonging to the Glynn County Police Department.

At the time of the Florida stop, Thomas was employed by Kingsland PD but was not on duty; he was later terminated. GBI stated the investigation remains active and that the completed case file will go to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. Charges are allegations; Thomas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.