Dekalb County Officer Arrested in Drug Probe After Internal Investigation Leads to Felony and Misdemeanor Charges

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — DeKalb County police arrested one of their own officers Tuesday afternoon after an internal criminal drug investigation that began in late October. Authorities say 43-year-old Officer Marius Tassy was booked into the DeKalb County Jail and now faces both felony and misdemeanor counts.

The department says Tassy is charged with unlawful practice of pharmacy, a felony, and sale of dangerous drugs, a misdemeanor. He was placed on administrative leave while the case moves forward. Police have not said what substances were involved, where the alleged sales took place, or whether anyone else may face charges.

Officer booked into jail after late October investigation

According to DeKalb County police, the case started late last month as an internal criminal investigation. The arrest came Tuesday, when investigators moved forward with charges against Tassy and placed him in custody at the county jail.

Department records show Tassy was hired by the agency on May 1, 2023. Police have not described how long the investigation had focused on him or what evidence led to the arrest. The agency also has not identified the specific drugs or medications tied to the allegations.

Charges include unlawful practice of pharmacy and sale of dangerous drugs

Police say the most serious count against Tassy is unlawful practice of pharmacy, which is being handled as a felony. He also faces a misdemeanor accusation of selling dangerous drugs. Those charges suggest investigators believe the alleged conduct involved controlled or restricted substances, though officials have not provided more detail.

The department has declined to discuss the evidence while the criminal case remains active. That leaves several key questions unanswered, including whether the investigation points to a single incident or a broader pattern of conduct. For now, the public information released by police is limited to the charges and the arrest.

Chief Greg Padrick says officers must meet a higher standard

DeKalb County Police Chief Greg Padrick said the arrest cuts against the standards the public expects from law enforcement. He said officers are held to a strict requirement of honesty, integrity and accountability.

Padrick added that when an officer breaks that trust, it damages the credibility of the entire profession. He said the department will not tolerate criminal conduct inside its ranks and will investigate and hold officers accountable when needed. He also said the department’s commitment to the public comes before loyalty to any one officer.

Department says more details are being withheld during active case

Police have made clear they are not ready to release every detail tied to the probe. Investigators have not said where the alleged drug sales happened, and they have not said whether other people were involved or could be charged later.

The department said it is limiting information because the case is still active. That means the public record currently includes the arrest, the charges and the officer’s employment history, but not the broader circumstances that led to the investigation. Additional details may come out later if prosecutors or police release them.

What the arrest means for DeKalb County police

The arrest of a sworn officer places pressure on the department to show how it handles misconduct inside its own ranks. By moving quickly to place Tassy on leave and announce the charges, police are signaling that the investigation is being treated as a criminal matter rather than a personnel issue alone.

For residents, the case is likely to raise questions about internal oversight and public trust. Police leadership has framed the arrest as evidence that the department intends to confront wrongdoing directly, even when it involves one of its own employees. The case is now moving through the justice system, and the agency says it will continue to hold off on further comment while the investigation remains open.