GA House Candidate Arrested In Child Molestation Case: Reports

SMYRNA, GA — A Georgia House candidate who was recently arrested and accused of exposing himself to a child says he is innocent, according to media reports.

Authorities arrested Andre Stafford, the Republican candidate for House District 42, after he was accused of driving beside a girl who was walking to her bus stop, telling her she was pretty and exposing himself on Oct. 15 in Smyrna, both WAGA-TV and WANF-TV reported.

The girl identified Stafford from a photo of his driver's license after authorities used FLOCK cameras to retrieve his license plate, which they determined was registered to him, reports say.

Stafford faces charges of public indecency and child molestation, WANF-TV reported.

After being released from jail, he told WAGA-TV he will remain in the race for the House.

"I have no reason to drop out," he reportedly said. "I am innocent."

Stafford is running against incumbent Democrat Gabriel Sanchez for the House seat, which represents parts of Smyrna and other portions of Cobb County.