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Crime

High school teacher arrested on 65 theft charges following Muscogee County School District Police investigation

CNAW Newsroom —
High school teacher arrested on 65 theft charges following Muscogee County School District Police investigation
Key takeaways
  • Kendrick High School teacher Orithius Jaques Hardge arrested on 65 theft by deception charges following district police investigation.
  • Alleged thefts occurred across multiple dates from September 2022 through October 2025; Hardge taught graphic arts and coordinated magnet program.

A Muscogee County teacher is in jail following an investigation by the Muscogee County School District Police Department.

Orithius Jaques Hardge, 46 was arrested on March 26, 2026, following an investigation.

Hardge is an educator at Kendrick High School, located on Georgetown Drive. Hardge serves as the educator over graphic arts and communication, along with being the magnet co-coordinator and Skills USA sponsor.

Hardge was charged with 65 total counts of theft by deception and criminal attempt to commit a misdemeanor (theft by deception).

The theft by deception offenses occurred on September 28, 2022; May 1, 2023; September 1, 2023; October 1, 2024; April 10, 2025; May 9, 2025; and October 8, 2025.

The offenses of criminal attempt to commit a misdemeanor (theft by deception) occurred on May 5, 2023; September 15, 2023; October 18, 2024; February 25, 2025; and October 8, 2025.

CNAW2News.com has reached out to the Muscogee County School District via the media information request site. At this time, we have not yet received a statement.

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