Who is the state state patrol? >> Oh, undercover. But the out different spots, different places. >> They look for that like that >> and she was busted not having her body cam on. >> He left the camera. >> Well, then they won't see nothing. >> What you don't see, you don't know. a sworn law enforcement officer allegedly working closer with criminals than some undercover units sharing sensitive police information while in uniform on duty. But don't worry, this was definitely handled responsibly. This story comes from Georgia uncovered by WRDW12 on your side because once again, journalists did what internal oversight apparently couldn't be bothered to do. Meet Diana Santiago, former Richmond County deputy, current jail resident, held without bond. Career trajectory not ideal. Santiago is charged with violation of oath of office, drug conspiracy, and unlawful street gang activity, which is wild because last I checked, those weren't elective side hustles. Investigators say Santiago had an intimate relationship with a convicted felon named Raheem Brown. And no, not after leaving the department, not before becoming a deputy, while actively employed. With 27 recorded jail video calls, she's in uniform. She's on duty. She's allegedly discussing police operations. You know, community policing. >> Diana Santiago is in jail tonight with no bond. She's been there since her arrest in October. She was fired just before she was taken into custody. But tonight, I've uncovered some problems in her past. Problems that could have banned her years ago from being a police officer in the state of Georgia. Yet somehow, she was allowed to keep her badge. It's no secret. >> Hey, what's up? >> What popping? >> Almost every jail call is recorded. >> I love seeing your beautiful face. You just give me life, bro. >> No one should know that better than a law enforcement officer. I love you. >> I love you more. >> But in 2022, then Richmond County Deputy Diana Santiago was recorded at least 27 times talking to [music] an inmate at the Green County Jail, putting your safety and the safety of her fellow deputies at risk. We'll get to that inmate in just a minute, but first, let's talk about those calls. In about half of them, Deputy Santiago is in uniform. >> I'm only doing it to make money for you. I would do that [ __ ] >> And yes, she's actually driving her patrol car in this video call. >> I try not to work with anybody. >> In some calls, she appears to be on duty. >> Damn, he really trying to get a ticket. >> Who? >> He's just flying down here like a idiot. Like he don't see a car right here. >> At one point, she shows him where she is working. And another time [music] he brings up a gang by name. >> Where you at? Shirley Avenue don't load. >> I know. >> Again, this was 2022. >> Quick timeout because this part matters. Before you click away thinking, "Yeah, yeah, another bad cop story." Pause. Because this wasn't a heat of the moment mistake. This wasn't a misunderstanding. And this definitely wasn't a one-time lapse in judgment. This was known. This was documented. And somehow this was treated like a minor inconvenience. So if you're wondering how things like this keep happening, you're about to get your answer. >> Fast forward to 2025 and Santiago's arrest in October. Documents show her connection to that [music] same gang. >> LO say over everything. >> According to her recent arrest warrant, she admitted to an intimate relationship with a member of LOE. It also says she admitted to visiting that member while she was on duty and using the Richmond County Sheriff's Office [music] databases to look up information for him. That suspect is [music] not the same person in these videos. This inmate is Raheem Brown, who at the time was facing felony drug charges in Green [music] County. But that's not all. Brown was arrested when he was out on bond on murder and armed robbery charges for a shooting that killed a man in 2021 at the Budgetel on Fifth Street in Augusta. Brown is also a convicted felon. >> I love you so much. >> I love you too so much. >> Now, here's where the system really shines. Back in 2022, Santiago admitted to having a romantic relationship with an inmate. So naturally, she was suspended for one day. Not fired, not reassigned, not monitored, just see you tomorrow. So the question isn't whether policies exist. The question is who ignored them, who minimized them, and who decided this wasn't a problem until handcuffs were involved. Because this didn't escalate overnight, it was enabled. According to Santiago's disciplinary file, it was well known around the jail, Brown was in a relationship with a deputy, which isn't surprising considering these video calls are out in the open. You can even see her in uniform waving to another inmate. She's also listed as Raheem Brown's wife on his visitation information. Someone reported all of this to internal affairs at the Richmond County Sheriff's Office in 2022. [music] And Santiago didn't deny it. She said she met Brown at the Augusta Mall about five or 6 months earlier when he was out on bond. The relationship violated policy, but she agreed to end it, so she was suspended for just one day. >> And before anyone says, "Well, at least they stopped it." Oh, no, no, no, no. Because after being caught in an inappropriate relationship with inmate Raheem Brown, Diana Santiago was allowed to make one final call. Not a disciplinary call, not a warning, a closure breakup call. Because apparently when policy is violated and public trust is broken, what really matters is emotional closure. Let's be clear, civilians don't get closure calls, employees don't get closure calls, and people who violate clear policy usually don't get anything except consequences. But here, the system paused so everyone could process their feelings. And if you're wondering how it went from one-day suspension to gang charges and no bond, keep watching. >> She was ordered to have no contact with the inmate, but was allowed to have a closure breakup call. By then, the damage could have already been done. She had [music] already told a convicted felon in jail on drug charges about an operation to find fentinel. >> Who is the state? State patrol. >> Oh, undercover. It's got all the I told you different spots, different places. >> They look for that like that. >> And she was busted not having her body cam on. >> You left the camera. [music] >> Well, then they won't see nothing. What you don't see, you don't know. Which certainly makes you wonder why in 2022 all then Sheriff Richard Roundtree gave Deputy Santiago was a slap on the wrist. >> I love you. >> I love you too forever. Of course you know that. >> Duh. >> Allowing her to essentially fly under the radar. >> Until this year when she found herself on the other side of the law. Had Sheriff Roundtree fired Santiago in 2022, it would have triggered a state investigation. Georgia Post certifies all law enforcement officers. That investigation could have prevented her from ever being an officer again in Georgia. Because she was fired this time, Post is now investigating. I contacted Roundtree to ask him about all of this. He thanked me for reaching out, but called my request extremely unrealistic. Being out of office for almost a year now, how would I expect him to remember specifics of a case without the benefits of reports or talking to investigators? If he changes his mind, he knows how to reach me. And I hope he does. >> This story isn't about one deputy. It's about a system where violations get minimized, boundaries get blurred, and accountability gets delayed until it becomes unavoidable. A romantic relationship with an inmate became a one-day suspension. A policy violation became a closure call. And when questions finally came, they were dismissed as unreasonable. That's not oversight. That's insulation. And when the people responsible say they can't remember the facts, what they're really saying is they don't expect to be held to them. If you think accountability shouldn't depend on selective memory, hit like. If you think more people need to hear this, share it. And if you want more stories like this documented, sourced, and explained, subscribe.