Cherokee County employees arrested for metal theft

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - Two Cherokee County employees have been arrested after an internal investigation in the county's recycling center.

Police say 54-year-old Canton resident Michael Johnson and 49-year-old Ball Ground resident Rodney Popham are accused of accepting money from a third party for metal that had been dropped off at the Blalock Road Recycling Center.

"While the allegations against these two are troubling, the actions of these two employees in no way reflect negatively on the many other county employees who work diligently to serve the citizens of this county," Chief Marshal Ron Hunton said. "We will work to re-open the Center in some capacity as soon as possible."

Both men face felony theft by taking charges and are currently at the Cherokee County Detention Center with a $4,875 bond.

Both men have been fired.