Man arrested for posting fake list of 'confidential informants' on social media

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. - Criminals call them snitches and rats, but law Enforcement calls them confidential informants. A man was booked into jail for posting a list of dozens of so-called informants on Facebook. The Whitfield County Sheriff said the list is bogus and so is the Facebook page.

Sheriff Scott Chitwood said Ermon “Bud” Mulkey created a fake Whitfield County Sheriff's Office Facebook page that looked very real.

“It had my picture on it. It had Whitfield County. The narrative was well done, so it would lead the average person to think it was legitimate,” said Sheriff Chitwood.

Sheriff Chitwood said there were a couple of dozen names listed on the page and identified at confidential informants for the sheriff's office. The sheriff said the list put the lives of those people in danger.

“You're actually putting people's lives at risk. This could have turned more sour than it already has,” said Sheriff Chitwood.

Investigators were able to trace the fake Facebook page to Mulkey. He was arrested and charged with Reckless Conduct, Computer Crimes, Forgery and Identity Fraud.

Mulkey's uncle said he saw the list and noticed another one of his nephews, Mulkey's own cousin, was listed as an informant.

“I couldn't figure it out, I don't know why he did it,” said Anthony Long.

Sheriff Chitwood said his office does use confidential informants, but they always protect them.

“When you get on the street and you realize someone ratted on you, lots of times you get repercussions,” said Chitwood.

The sheriff said there was another list on the fake Facebook page of people who “refused to comply” with law enforcement. Chitwood said Mulkey put his own name on that page.