( CNN ) -- An undercover sting operation nabbed an Atlanta-area sheriff 's deputy who was selling marijuana out of his patrol car and in uniform , federal authorities say . Newton County Deputy Darrell Mathis told an informant that he could sell pot without fear because `` he drives safely and flashes police credentials to get out of tickets if stopped , '' according to court papers . Mathis , a five-year veteran deputy , was freed on bond after his arrest last week , the FBI said . `` This defendant used his position as a police officer to openly violate the very laws that he was sworn to uphold , '' U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in a written statement . `` Selling marijuana out of his police car while wearing a badge and uniform is outrageous . This case is a reminder that no one is above the law . '' Mathis has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and with carrying a firearm during a drug offense -- a charge that could bring a possible life sentence if convicted . He did not immediately return messages seeking comment Sunday . Newton County is about 30 miles east of Atlanta . Sheriff Ezell Brown said Mathis has been placed on administrative leave , and his office is cooperating with the investigation . Doritos on menu at Seattle Hempfest , courtesy of local police . `` This is an embarrassment to the Newton County Sheriff 's Office , as well as law enforcement in general , '' Brown said in a joint statement with Yates . According to the charges against him , Mathis attracted the attention of the FBI in April after what officials called a `` social visit '' by a person who went on to become a confidential informant . The informant visited Mathis at his apartment and saw large bags of what was `` believed to be marijuana '' on the living room table . The complaint states that Mathis told the informant that he was n't concerned about getting caught , because of his safe driving and police credentials . Apparently unnerved by the exchange , the informant went to the authorities and offered to help with an investigation . The FBI then set up a half dozen meetings among Mathis , the informant and eventually two undercover agents , court papers recount . Mathis and the informant discussed a drug sale during their next meeting , the charges state . Mathis sold the informant an ounce of marijuana later that day , showing up for the deal in his cruiser , in uniform and carrying his service pistol . After that , an undercover agent got involved -- and the amounts of marijuana increased . In June , as the agent bought a pound of pot , Mathis boasted , `` I do my little 10 to 15 a week '' -- a phrase the agent `` understood to mean selling 10 to 15 pounds a week , '' the arrest affidavit states . Then in early August , according to the complaint , Mathis met with another undercover agent , a supposed cocaine dealer . The two agents and Mathis sat down at a restaurant to discuss buying and transporting marijuana and cocaine , according to the complaint . While the three spoke , Mathis allegedly pulled out his badge and told the undercover agent , `` Do n't worry , I 'm on your side . '' By the end of the meeting , the complaint alleges , Mathis had agreed to run marijuana and cocaine from Alabama to North Carolina at the behest of the undercover agent . Federal agents found a pound of pot on Mathis when he was arrested last week , the FBI said . CNN 's Kevin Wang contributed to this report .
The FBI says Darrell Mathis sold marijuana to federal agents during a 4-month probe . Mathis turned up in his patrol car , in uniform , for some sales . The investigation began with a `` social visit , '' court papers state . Mathis could not be reached for comment ; he could face up to life in prison if found guilty .