Thomson Mayor Charged with Providing Alcohol to Inmates

Benjamin 'Benji' Cary Cranford, the mayor of Thomson, Georgia, has been indicted and arrested on felony charges for allegedly hiding a bottle of gin in a ditch intended for state prison inmates. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) claims that the 52-year-old mayor purchased the gin on June 3 and left it in a location frequented by a work crew from the Jefferson County Correctional Institution. Cranford was arrested at Thomson City Hall following a city council meeting and was released on a $5,000 bail. A spokesperson for the city stated that the charges do not relate to Cranford's duties as an elected official, and he intends to continue serving as mayor while denying the allegations. If recommended by a panel, he could face suspension from office until the legal matters are resolved. Prior to his election, Cranford settled a lawsuit accusing him of attempting to hide assets from a bonding company related to his previous business activities.