Charges against a former Gray Police Officer were released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Thursday morning as well as the Gray Police Department.
The GBI release states William Paul Hathaway, 54, of Gray was arrested and charged with sexual battery. It also states Hathaway is no longer employed at the GPD and he was booked into the Jones County Jail.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
Booking records show Hathaway turned himself in to the Jones County Sheriff Office the morning of Aug. 20.
The release from the Gray Police Department states a complaint was received by the department July 12 and involved alleged conduct that occurred while the officer was off duty and outside the scope of his official duties.
“Upon receiving the complaint, Chief Adam Lowe immediately took action. The matter was referred to the GBI for an independent investigation. The officer was immediately placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.”
The GPD release states that referring the matter to an outside investigative agency was intentional and any allegations involving one of its own officers must be investigated thoroughly, independently and without the appearance of bias.
“Whether the alleged conduct occurs on duty or off duty, the department has an obligation to the citizens we serve to ensure that allegations are taken seriously and investigations are conducted with integrity and transparency.”
Effective Friday, Aug. 7, the officer was no longer employed by the Gray Police Department.
GPD Chief Adam Lowe released a statement about the investigation.
“The GPD has a responsibility to the citizens of Gray to hold its personnel to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability. When an allegation is made involving one of our officers, we will not ignore it, minimize it or allow an internal relationship to interfere with the investigative process. In this case, we immediately referred the matter to the GBI so an independent agency could conduct a thorough investigation,” he stated.
Lowe went on to say the officer is no longer with the department and all allegations of misconduct are taken seriously and will be acted upon.
According to post records, Hathaway was employed by the Jones County Sheriff Office from 2001 - 2019 and has been employed by the Gray Police Department since May of 2019.
Georgia Code states a person commits the offense of sexual battery when he or she intentionally makes physical contact with the intimate parts of the body of another person without the consent of that person.
Except as otherwise provided, a person convicted of the offense of sexual battery shall be punished as a misdemeanor or a high and aggravated nature.
A person convicted of the offense of sexual battery against any child under the age of 16 years shall be guilty of a felony.
