The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested a south Georgia Sheriff.
The GBI said Wednesday that agents arrested Miller County Sheriff Rick Morgan, age 54, of Colquitt, GA, and charged him with Sexual Battery and Violation of Oath by Public Officer.
According to the press announcement:
On July 26, 2022, Pataula Judicial Circuit District Attorney Vic McNease requested the GBI to investigate allegations of sexual battery by Miller County Sheriff Rick Morgan. The allegations stem from an incident that took place while on a 911 call in Miller County, GA involving Sheriff Morgan. GBI agents began the investigation and conducted interviews with the victim, multiple witnesses, and collected evidence related to the investigation and allegations. Agents discussed their findings with the District Attorney and ultimately met with a Superior Court Judge to present their evidence and testimony in the case for the alleged offenses.
Two arrest warrants were issued for Miller County Sheriff Rick Morgan for the offenses of Sexual Battery and Violation of Oath by Public Officer.
Under GA Code § 16-6-22.1 (2020), Sexual Battery is defined as a criminal act when a person “intentionally makes physical contact with the intimate parts of the body of another person without the consent of that person.” The law defines ‘intimate parts’ as “the primary genital area, anus, groin, inner thighs, or buttocks of a male or female and the breasts of a female.” Sexual Battery is a misdemeanor in Georgia, unless the person is under the age of 16.
The Violation of Oath by a Public Officer offense is a felony. If convicted, Morgan would face one to five years in prison.
The warrants were executed, and he was arrested and processed on Wednesday morning, August 10, 2022, in Miller County, Georgia.
Once the investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
This is the second sheriff to be charged with sexual battery this year.
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This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Thomasville at 229-225-4090.
