Georgia School Employee Arrested for Sexual Assault

According to reports out of Coweta County, a school physical education trainer has been arrested.

He was arrested for allegedly touching a female student inappropriately. He has also been accused of making inappropriate and sexual comments to several other female students.

He is currently on bond from Coweta County Jail, and the school system has released a statement saying, “As always, student safety is our top priority.”

Sexual Assault in Georgia

According to Georgia Law, sexual assault in Georgia is defined in O.C.G.A. §16-5-5.1 as:

Sexual assault occurs when a person who has supervisory or disciplinary authority over another individual engages in sexual contact with them.

By law, sexual contact is defined as 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.

Sexual assault can only occur between a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority and someone underneath them. Examples of these types of relationships are as follows:

• 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

A person commits sexual assault when they engage in sexual contact with an individual that the actor knew or should have known they have authority over. If convicted of sexual assault, a person faces up to twenty years in prison, a fine up to $100,000, or both.

On top of prison and fines, a sexual assault conviction is that they must register as a sex offender. The defendant will appear on the Georgia public offender database as well as the national sexual offender database. Sex offenders are prohibited from living near churches, schools, or other areas where minors congregate such as parks or pools.

Practice Note

If you or a loved one has been accused of committing a sex crime in the state of Georgia, contact our offices now. We can help you with your case today.