Georgia Correctional Officer Arrested for Sexual Assault of an Inmate

A correctional officer working at an institution in Savannah has been arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting an inmate.

Authorities have stated that the officer admitted to having an “unprofessional and personal relationship” with the inmate.

As a Georgia Sex Crimes Attorney, I will outline the offense of sexual assault in Georgia in today's post. Sexual assault is frequently used improperly for other crimes such as sexual battery in Georgia. There is actually a large difference between the two offenses.

Sexual Assault in Georgia

Sexual Assault in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code in O.C.G.A. §16-5-5.1 as:

When a person who has supervisory or disciplinary authority over another individual engages in sexual contact with them.

By law sexual contact is any contact between the actor and a person not married to the actor involving the intimate parts of either person for the sexual gratification of the actor.

What separates sexual assault from other sex crimes in the state of Georgia is the element of the actor having supervisory or disciplinary authority. These relationships include:

• Teacher, principal, assistant principal, or other school administrators
• Probation officer, or other employees that have authority over parolees or probationers
• Employee or agent of a law enforcement agency with a person detained or in custody
• Employee or agent of a hospital who has sexual contact with a patient while being treated
• Employee or agent of a correctional or juvenile justice facility, or disability facility; or
• Psychotherapists with their patients
• Teacher, principal, assistant principal, or other school administrators
• Probation officer, or other employees that have authority over parolees or probationers
• Employee or agent of a law enforcement agency with a person detained or in custody
• Employee or agent of a hospital who has sexual contact with a patient while being treated
• Employee or agent of a correctional or juvenile justice facility, or disability facility; or
• Psychotherapists with their patients

Sexual assault is classified as a felony which means the penalties can include up to twenty years in prison as well as fines up to $100,000.

Practice Note

Call our offices now if you or a loved one has been arrested in our state. A Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer can help you now.