DOUGHERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — The Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office has charged a man with making terroristic threats against county employees at the downtown Tax and Tag office.

Dougherty County Commission Chairman Lorenzo Heard posted on Facebook Monday, Oct. 26 addressing the threats against the two employees.

In recent weeks, Heard said employees have faced incidents involving profanity, racial slurs, and “increasingly disturbing conduct.” But most recently, the chairman said two separate incidents involved threats of serious violence.

Those two incidents were investigated by the sheriff’s office.

“Let me be absolutely clear: this behavior is unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated,” Heard said in the statement.

Heard said the threats emerged following recent adjustments in people’s property value assessments. Many people have expressed frustrations on social media about their increased property values.

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“Our employees are our neighbors, friends, and fellow citizens. They deserve to do their jobs without fear for their safety or the safety of their families,” Heard said.

Terroristic threat in report

An incident report stated a chief appraiser got a voicemail threatening to find his personal home and burn it down.

The sheriff’s office said the caller was upset after his property tax appeal was denied and claimed no one at the assessor’s office would answer his calls.

Charge filed

Dougherty County officials charged the man with terroristic threats. He remains unnamed because the charge is a misdemeanor.

The sheriff’s office said a second threat case was closed without charges because it came over an unrecorded line, leaving deputies with insufficient evidence to press charges.

“We recognize that the property revaluation has generated frustration and concern throughout our community,” Heard added. “Every property owner has the right to question and assessment, seek an explanation, and pursue an appeal.”

The sheriff’s office confirmed a warrant has been issued in one of the cases.

The county said threats of violence will be addressed through appropriate legal action.

Residents with concerns about their property value assessments are encouraged to contact the county’s Tax Department and follow the established review and appeal procedures.

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