SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::
The Grip has learned that David Gibson, formerly the captain over the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division, has been arrested by the GBI.
Gibson on May 21 retired in lieu of termination following an Internal Affairs investigation involving allegations of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, improper use of the Internet, conduct unbecoming an officer and violating his oath of office.
The original investigation was conducted by Lt. Ronald Brainard, of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, at the request of Spalding County Sheriff Wendell Beam, and the findings were turned over to Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard.
Ballard on July 29 announced he had requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct a criminal investigation.
At that time, Ballard was asked to define the scope of the pending GBI investigation, and he stated, “I’m asking that David Gibson be investigated and obviously, if in the course of investigating him, they uncover evidence of criminal activity by someone else, I want to know about it.”
The Grip on Tuesday, Sept. 8, spoke with GBI Region 2 Field Office Special Agent in Charge Fred Wimberly who confirmed its investigation remained ongoing.
The Grip has also learned the GBI is, as of Thursday morning, in the midst of executing a search warrant at Gibson’s residence.
In response to Thursday morning phone call seeking comment, Beam replied with a text message that stated, “David Gibson has been arrested by the GBI. He is being booked into our jail at this time. I do not have any further information at this time.”
Publisher’s note – The Grip will continue to follow this breaking news and report new information as it becomes available.
