Former Gray police officer charged with felony sexual battery against child under 16

The GBI said Hathaway is no longer employed by the Gray Police Department.

GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A former Gray Police Department officer has been arrested following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate contact with a child.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the former officer as 54-year-old William Paul Hathaway of Gray.

According to the GBI, the Gray Police Department requested the investigation July 12 after allegations that Hathaway had inappropriate contact with a child while he was off duty.

The Jones County Sheriff’s Office says Hathaway is charged with felony sexual battery against a child under 16.

The GBI says Hathaway is no longer employed by the Gray Police Department.

Hathaway was booked into the Jones County Jail.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI’s Regional Investigative Office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), through the GBI’s online tip portal or through the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the GBI says the case file will be turned over to the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.