Post by Shuftin on Oct 4, 2006 5:13:36 GMT -5
2006-09-13
COWETA COUNTY, GEORGIA – An East Point police officer will be arraigned Wednesday in Coweta Superior Court after his indictment on seven counts of child molestation.
After an extensive investigation into the sexual abuse/child molestation case by Coweta Sheriff's Office investigators, Benjamin Birkbeck was indicted Friday.
Birkbeck, of 728 Glover Road, Newnan, was indicted on seven counts, including three for aggravated child molestation, three for child molestation, and one for criminal attempt to commit rape, according to Coweta Sheriff's Office Maj. James Yarbrough.
The investigation stems from incidents alleged to have occurred from 1993-1997, Yarbrough said Monday. Two incidents allegedly occurred this year.
Coweta's Sgt. John Kennedy handled the investigation, and worked with the Coweta Circuit District Attorney's Office to present the case to a Coweta County grand jury meeting for the September term.
The grand jury "true billed" the case, Superior Court Judge William F. Lee signed the arrest order, and now Birkbeck will be arraigned Wednesday. When he turned himself in Friday, Birkbeck was given a $30,000 bond, and after a short time posted bond and was released from the Coweta County Jail.
East Point public information officer Z. Bradford confirmed that Birkbeck is a police officer employed by East Point, though she made clear that the charges stem from incidents alleged to have occurred in Coweta County. Birkbeck was placed on administrative leave, said Bradford, and will remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
During arraignment, the charges faced by the accused are explained to each one individually, and the accused is given the opportunity to plead guilty or innocent to the charges.
Wednesday Superior Court arraignments will take place in the Coweta County Justice Center on Greenville Street at 9 a.m., though Judge Lee asks that to avoid delays due to security, those attending arrive at 8:30 a.m.
Those who were indicted and are still in jail will be arraigned today in the Coweta County Jail at 1:30 p.m. Family members may watch the proceedings in the jail lobby via a video feed.
COWETA COUNTY, GEORGIA – An East Point police officer will be arraigned Wednesday in Coweta Superior Court after his indictment on seven counts of child molestation.
After an extensive investigation into the sexual abuse/child molestation case by Coweta Sheriff's Office investigators, Benjamin Birkbeck was indicted Friday.
Birkbeck, of 728 Glover Road, Newnan, was indicted on seven counts, including three for aggravated child molestation, three for child molestation, and one for criminal attempt to commit rape, according to Coweta Sheriff's Office Maj. James Yarbrough.
The investigation stems from incidents alleged to have occurred from 1993-1997, Yarbrough said Monday. Two incidents allegedly occurred this year.
Coweta's Sgt. John Kennedy handled the investigation, and worked with the Coweta Circuit District Attorney's Office to present the case to a Coweta County grand jury meeting for the September term.
The grand jury "true billed" the case, Superior Court Judge William F. Lee signed the arrest order, and now Birkbeck will be arraigned Wednesday. When he turned himself in Friday, Birkbeck was given a $30,000 bond, and after a short time posted bond and was released from the Coweta County Jail.
East Point public information officer Z. Bradford confirmed that Birkbeck is a police officer employed by East Point, though she made clear that the charges stem from incidents alleged to have occurred in Coweta County. Birkbeck was placed on administrative leave, said Bradford, and will remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
During arraignment, the charges faced by the accused are explained to each one individually, and the accused is given the opportunity to plead guilty or innocent to the charges.
Wednesday Superior Court arraignments will take place in the Coweta County Justice Center on Greenville Street at 9 a.m., though Judge Lee asks that to avoid delays due to security, those attending arrive at 8:30 a.m.
Those who were indicted and are still in jail will be arraigned today in the Coweta County Jail at 1:30 p.m. Family members may watch the proceedings in the jail lobby via a video feed.