A Paulding County sheriff’s deputy was arrested Monday on child molestation charges and fired, according to authorities.
Steve Sorrells, 48, also faces a count of violation of oath of office, the GBI said in a news release.
Investigators began looking into Sorrells, a detective in the sheriff’s office’s juvenile investigation division, on Nov. 14. The sheriff’s office received an allegation of inappropriate sexual contact with a minor and asked the GBI to open an investigation.
On Monday morning, Sorrells went to the sheriff’s office to meet with agents about the incident, according to spokesman Sgt. Ashley Henson. Sorrells was arrested as a result of the meeting, Henson said.
It’s unclear what the GBI and sheriff’s office learned during the investigation that led to Sorrells’ arrest. He was booked into the Paulding County jail and then transferred to a neighboring agency, where he is being held with no bond, Henson said.
“I am disgusted that one of our own has been arrested and charged with child molestation,” Paulding Sheriff Gary Gulledge said. “This type of behavior will not be condoned in our office nor in any law enforcement agency in the county. Our focus is on the victims in this case; we want to make sure they get the justice and compassion they deserve. This incident has tarnished the badge that we all wear so proudly. We will do everything in our power to assist the GBI during this investigation.”
Sorrells had been employed with the sheriff’s office since July 2014, Henson said. He was placed on administrative leave at the beginning of the investigation and then fired upon his arrest.
Authorities said he did not have a history of disciplinary action on file before this incident.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI at 706-624-1424.
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