CARROLLTON, Ga. — An elementary school resource officer was arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for child molestation in Carrollton, the agency said on Friday.
According to the GBI, it was requested to investigate an allegation of "criminal misconduct" against 35-year-old Jerric Gilbert by Carrollton City Schools, to which he was assigned as a school resource officer at Carrollton Elementary School.
Gilbert was also an officer with the Carrollton Police Department. The Carrollton Police Department also conducted an internal investigation.
After investigating, the GBI said Gilbert had "encouraged an 11-year-old girl to touch him inappropriately while at his home," on April 15. He was arrested on one count of child molestation and one count of violation of oath by a public officer.
He was fired from his positions at the police department and the school following the investigation, the GBI said.
Carrollton City Schools issued this statement on the case on Saturday:
We are extremely disappointed to learn of allegations regarding off-campus criminal misconduct of a former School Resource Officer, Jerric Gilbert, that have led to an investigation by the GBI. Gilbert was released from his duties as an SRO this week and is no longer an officer with the Carrollton Police Department. Once we were informed of this situation, we acted immediately to ensure the safety of our students and comply with local law enforcement. We will continue to take the appropriate steps to ensure full cooperation with local and state authorities. We cannot comment any further regarding specifics in this case as it is part of an ongoing investigation. Any additional questions should be directed to the Carrollton Police Department.
11Alive spoke to a parent whose son and daughter interacted with the now-fired officer at Carrollton Elementary School.
“Every interaction that myself, my husband, and both of my children have had with him have been nothing but positive," she said.
The parent said her son started getting bullied in kindergarten, and Gilbert took him under his wing.
“He befriended my son and was like his best friend," she said. "That right there was huge to me as a parent. He would come home, and he would tell me, ‘Officer Gilbert, he danced with me, and he helped me at the nurse’s office!’”
Gilbert was arrested on Friday, agents said, at the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Carroll County Jail.
The GBI said the investigation remains ongoing and will turn its findings over to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
“If it is true, it’s heartbreaking," the parent said. "I'm shocked. I'm very, very shocked and just in disbelief.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation may contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 2 Field Office at (706) 565-7888. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
WAYS TO GET 11ALIVE
- Download our app on Roku and Fire TV
- Download 11Alive News mobile app on Apple and Google Play stores
- Follow us on social media, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
- Look at our TV guide to see when we're airing on cable TV
- Watch broadcasts, and videos on YouTube
SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER
The 11Alive Speed Feed offers a curated experience of top local stories we’re following now. Our goal is to help you feel informed, even if you only have five minutes. This email will be sent at noon daily. Sign up here.
GET IN TOUCH WITH US
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at WhereAtlantaSpeaks@11Alive.com.