WASHINGTON, Ga. — The Wilkes County sheriff is apologizing to the public and news media after jail staff covered the face of a Richmond County sheriff’s major with a blanket as he was being taken out of the jail after his arrest. Sheriff Darrell Powers issued a lengthy statement Tuesday addressing what happened when former Richmond County Maj. Robbie “Robbie” Silas was turned over to a Richmond County deputy for transport to Augusta for a first appearance hearing. A longtime Richmond County Sheriff’s Office major made a court appearance Tuesday after he was arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Silas was arrested Monday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on charges of solicitation of sodomy, pandering and violation of oath of office, then booked into the Wilkes County jail for overnight housing before being moved to Richmond County. Powers said Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley had asked him to temporarily house Silas and that arrangements were made for Silas to be picked up the next morning. As Silas was being escorted from the jail to a Richmond County patrol vehicle, members of Powers’ jail staff used a blanket to conceal Silas’ face from news cameras. “I want to be absolutely clear: I did not direct, authorize, or approve that action,” Powers said in the statement. “I do not approve of it now, and I will not approve of it in the future.” Powers said the action has been addressed internally and that he has given “clear corrective instructions” to his…
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