AMERICUS, Ga. (WALB) — A Sumter County court employee is accused of displaying a badge and threatening a McDonald’s worker during a drive-thru dispute, allegations he denies.

According to an Americus Police Department incident report, the complaint stems from a May 15 encounter at the McDonald’s on U.S. Highway 19/280 in Americus.

Employee Latoya Burns told WALB the confrontation began after a misunderstanding over a breakfast order as the drive-thru grew busy. Burns alleges the customer — identified as probation officer Hill in the report — became upset during the exchange, tried to snatch the card reader at the payment window and later displayed a badge while threatening to have her arrested.

“He was like, ‘You need to tell me sorry, or I’m going to come in there and lock you up,’” Burns said.

A manager who said he witnessed part of the encounter told WALB Hill flashed a badge during the dispute.

“That’s when he flashed his badge,” the manager said. “I didn’t think that was right.”

Burns said the incident left her shaken and prompted her to file complaints with local authorities and contact the NAACP.

WALB obtained surveillance video from the restaurant that appears to show portions of the interaction, including the customer returning through the drive-thru after receiving his order.

The Americus Police Department previously confirmed the probation officer is not employed by the department.

When contacted by WALB, Hill denied the allegations. “What she’s alleging is just not true,” he said. “I would never do that.”

He also said the matter had already been investigated and closed by the appropriate authorities.

“It’s been looked at by all the authorities that it’s supposed to be looked at and they didn’t find any wrongdoing,” Hill told WALB. He declined an on-camera interview.

WALB reached out to Sumter County Superior Court officials seeking clarification about Hill’s position, any authority associated with that role, and whether any internal review was conducted. As of publication, those requests had not been returned.

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