GA Officer Sexually Assaulted Woman He Arrested, Cops Say

Updated 1:53 p.m.

SOUTH FULTON, GA — A South Fulton Police patrol officer is facing charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman he arrested during a domestic dispute, the department said Wednesday.

Officers arrested Micheal Shealey Cockran, 30, in connection with a sexual assault that occurred Saturday evening, police said.

"This is an unfortunate and sad event that took place," South Fulton Interim Public Safety Director Dr. Cedric Alexander said at a news conference. "This is no kind of way an indictment on the men and women who go out here every day and do the job that they're sworn to do under Georgia state law."

Cockran, who has been with SFPD for two years, responded to the dispute; but, when he arrived, the woman's mother told him that she had left the scene and gave Cockran a description of the woman's vehicle, Alexander said.

Cockran then located the woman at a nearby business, where he notified her of warrants pending against her in DeKalb County, Alexander said. Prior to making contact with the woman, Cockran went against policy and turned off his body camera, the director said.

After locating her, Cockran handcuffed her and took her into custody, Alexander said. But rather than immediately taking her to jail, Alexander said Cockran took her to an undisclosed location, where the assault took place.

Alexander said all police vehicles are tracked through GPS, so that is how police know Cockran took the woman off-route for a period of time.

Afterward, Cockran took the woman to the DeKalb County Jail and turned her over to local authorities, Alexander said. The woman later told authorities he assaulted her, and SFPD began investigating, Alexander said.

SFPD "took immediate and decisive action" after learning of the incident, police said. Cockran was put on administrative leave and will ultimately be terminated, Alexander said.

"The evidence is just so enormous in this particular case that we were able to secure warrants," Alexander said.

Cockran was arrested on charges of sexual assault by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority and violation of oath of office, police said. He was being booked at the Fulton County Jail as of Wednesday morning.

Alexander said no matter of consent, Cockran "was in total violation" of his oath.

"Consensual goes out the window," Alexander said. "You are in performance of your law-enforcement duties, so whether she consented or not is totally immaterial. The fact of the matter is that he violated Georgia state law as a law-enforcement officer, being in a supervisory role, being responsible for her care."

Alexander said the case remains under investigation. Police asked "anyone who may have had an encounter or may be a victim to come forward."

Officers are examining previous arrests made by Cockran to see if they can find any evidence of other improprieties, Alexander said.

"No one is above the law," Alexander said in a news release. "These actions represent a serious violation of the law, department policy and the trust placed in our officers by the community. The South Fulton Police Department holds its personnel to the highest standards, and we will not tolerate conduct that betrays the badge or the public we serve."