From the Albany Herald:

Russ Barnes, the Sumter County State Court judge who, earlier this month, prompted a search by sheriff’s officials after he failed to come home, has resigned from the bench.

Barnes, who was taken to a crisis center after being found at the Americus Walmart parking lot, asked Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday to accept his resignation from the bench. Deal has accepted it.

Barnes had been under investigation by the Judicial Qualifications Commission. According to a consent order posted Friday on the JQC website, Barnes was under investigation for various complaints that he had mismanaged or misappropriated funds that he held in a fiduciary capacity and that he “engaged in conduct which brought this judicial office in disrepute and undermined public confidence in the judiciary.”

The consent order states that in light of his resignation, the commission has agreed to drop its investigation on the condition that Barnes never seek an elected or appointed position as a judge.

Included in the consent order is a hand-written letter from Barnes to Deal asking to be allowed to resign from his post.