Major Charles McMahan
Jail Operations
Major Charles McMahan
Jail Operations
The secondary function is the housing of sentenced inmates. Some inmates are sentenced to serve time for misdemeanor offenses (less than 1 year) and remain in the county facility for the duration of their sentence. Inmates that receive a court sentence of more than 1 year are considered inmates of the Georgia Department of Corrections and remain in the county facility until they may be received by a facility of the State of Georgia.
People visiting the Adult Detention Center are not allowed to loiter, smoke or use a cell phone within a hundred feet of the building for security reasons. These rules are posted at all entrances to the facility. Please adhere to these rules while visiting.
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Captain Irene Ruiz
Adult Detention Center Commander
Captain Kimberly Thompson
Operational Support Commander
Lt. Melissa Shaw
Shift 1 Commander ADC
678-493-4200
Lt. Shaw has worked at the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office since June of 1998 and is currently assigned as the Commander of Shift 1 in the Adult Detention Center. Lt. Shaw has worked in Court Services, Uniform Patrol, Traffic Enforcement Unit and the Training Division during her employment. Lt. Shaw is the first female Deputy assigned to the Cherokee Multi-Agency S.W.A.T. Team and has been a member of the team for 14 years. Lt. Shaw also served in the United States Marine Corps.
During her career, she has obtained several advanced certificates through the Georgia P.O.S.T. Council such as the Intermediate, Advanced, and Supervisory Certifications. She is currently working to obtain her Management Certification. She has also completed the Columbus State University’s Professional Management Program which focuses on leadership management. Lt. Shaw is currently enrolled at Reinhardt University working to complete her Associate’s Degree.
Lt. Chris Strauts
Shift 2 Commander ADC
678-493-4200
Lt. Strauts has been employed with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office since 1998. He is currently assigned as Watch Commander on Shift 2. Prior to working with the Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Strauts was a Non-commissioned Officer in the U.S. Air Force, serving 8 years in law enforcement as a K-9 handler/Trainer. Lt. Strauts has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Wayland Baptist University.
Lt. Dan Lavine
Shift 3 Commander ADC
678-493-4200
Lt. Lavine has been employed with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office since 2004. He is a graduate of Reinhardt University where he obtained his BA and MPA. He has also received his Supervisory Certification and is a graduate of Columbus State University Professional Management Program.
Throughout his career, he has served as a Deputy/Corporal in the Adult Detention Center, and Uniform Patrol Division, where he served as a Field Training Officer (FTO) / FTO Coordinator, Shift Supervisor, and Watch Commander, and in Special Operations, where he served as a STRIKE team member.
Lt. Lavine has been married for 45 years with four adult children and seven grandchildren.
Lt. James Johnson
Shift 4 Commander ADC
678-493-4200
Lt. Johnson is currently the Commander of Shift 4 at the ADC. Lt. Johnson has been an employee of the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office since 2005. Lt. Johnson has severed as a Deputy and as a Jail Shift Supervisor holding the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant prior to his promotion to Lieutenant. Lt. Johnson became a Detention Training Officer in 2009. Lt. Johnson served as the Detention Training Program Shift Coordinator from 2014-2019. Lt. Johnson was previously assigned to the Gang Intelligence Unit. Lt. Johnson and is currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.
