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Deputy fired amid allegations of relationship with a minor

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Thursday, September 18. 2008

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A Madison County deputy has been fired from his job after the sheriff’s department learned of the man’s alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor.

“On September 15, 2008, allegations were made of an inappropriate relationship between a Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy and 16 years of age minor female,” stated a press release from the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. “Jeffery Roberts, 37 years of age of Colbert, Georgia, was terminated from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office on that same evening.”

An internal investigation with the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is underway. District Attorney Robert Lavender is looking at possible criminal charges in this matter.

Captain Mike Benner said Friday that the sheriff’s office found out about the incident Monday morning when the girl’s parents came to the office to file a complaint.

Once the issue was known about, Benner said Sheriff Clayton Lowe took quick action, calling Roberts into his office later that day to confront him.

Benner would not elaborate on what was said, due to possible pending criminal charges against Roberts, but he said the situation was clear cut enough to sever ties between Roberts and the sheriff’s office.

“We did that within 12 hours of finding out about it,” Benner said.

He added: “He served in three areas of the public trust. He was a deputy, a volunteer firefighter and a Colbert city councilman.”

Lowe said Monday that the parents had presented copies of “inappropriate e-mails” sent to the teen from deputy Roberts.

Lowe said Roberts left a message on the girl’s MySpace page instructing her to visit her Yahoo account for an e-mail from him. The girl’s mother reportedly intercepted the message and went to the e-mail account, where she found a number of e-mails from Roberts. Copies of these e-mails were given to Lowe.

“There were pages and pages of (messages) and many were sexually explicit,” Lowe said, some encouraging the girl to meet with him.

Lowe said the law states that it is illegal for someone to send sexually explicit e-mails to a person under 18 who is not their spouse.

The sheriff’s office is still awaiting word from district attorney Bob Lavender’s office on whether charges will be filed.

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#1 booboo1998 on 09/18/08 at 12:09 PM

And we are supposed to trust these people to protect us and our kids. That's what bothers me the most is we teach our kids to trust cops and if they ever need help to find a cop and ask them for help.Cops are supposed to set an example for the public.What kind of example is this? They should put the pervert in prison so he will know what all the people go through he has put there in the past.This is not a good example that I would trust my child to follow or ask for help.
This is why alot of kids today don't trust cops? Then they say to trust them and rely on them to make choices that affect us.

#1.1 Anonymous on 09/18/08 at 12:41 PM

I am confused, where were the patients when this was going on? We are quick to judge Mr. Robert’s however what responsible does the parents hold in all this…….

#1.1.1 Anonymous on 09/18/08 at 07:41 PM

how would a change make this better! if you start from scratch in this county we will only have more problems!!!!!!!!!!!!

#1.2 Anonymous on 09/18/08 at 12:41 PM

Time for a chamge in our sheriff dept.

#1.2.1 JMAC/SP for CHANGE on 09/18/08 at 04:41 PM

How would change in the Sheriffs dept could or would have prevented this ? With that logic we need a change in City Council. Blame the person accused, he is responsible,not the department !!!
What a comment...duh
chamge ???

#1.2.2 one bad apple on 09/18/08 at 05:02 PM

They fired him the same day that they found out about it, what more would you have them do. Wait until they finish investigating.

#1.2.3 Anonymous on 09/18/08 at 11:05 PM

The sheriff's department reacted very quickly to these allegations. Seems as if they are doing an outstanding job handling this situation.

#1.3 Neutral on 09/18/08 at 02:08 PM

This deputy has not been found guilty of anything yet. You, nor I know exactly happened here. All you're going on is what you read in one article of the news. I'm sure there's a lot more to this story than what has been told. It's too soon to form an opinion at this point of the investigation.

#1.3.1 Haprazo on 09/18/08 at 05:44 PM

I agree, but for the Department to fire him on the spot...gotta be something to this. Otherwise he might have been suspended without pay, investigated, yadda yadda. But no, he was fired the very same night. Hmmm.

I think the department did a good thing. If we cannot trust a sworn officer of the law, then it is a major breach of trust. They acted swiftly and likely (due to threat of wrongful termination lawsuits) extremely appropriately.

#1.4 bothsides on 09/18/08 at 02:32 PM

Oh ye without sin cast the first stone huh? Do you know all
the circumstances here? Do you know the officer personally?
Have you sat and had dinner with his family or gave him a hug
when he is having a bad day? Probably not. Bad choice? Maybe.
But until all the facts are know maybe we should keep our rocks
in a pile.

#1.5 one bad apple on 09/18/08 at 04:53 PM

Every profession has there faults. Every person is resposible for there actions regardless of there job.
When you say " trust those people ",those people are human, they make mistakes and he will certainly pay for those mistakes, but to call all dedicated law enforcement men and women not trust worthy is ignorant.

#1.6 Anonymous on 09/18/08 at 06:21 PM

Once again, what an idiot, you should just sit in you bean bag chair eating cheese nips and watching tv

#2 Anon on 09/18/08 at 02:28 PM

And exactly what is illegal? Unless he had taken her into custody- creepy, should violate some oath of office, but not illegal/criminal.

#2.1 Anonymous on 09/18/08 at 07:06 PM

Violation of Oath of Office is a crime. It's a felony.

#3 Concerned on 09/18/08 at 08:30 PM

It is amazing how quick we are to judge others. In God's eyes all sin is equal. If this gentleman is found guilty then he should have to pay the fine, but if he is not found guilty of the charges then all those who has been quick to judge should be quick to apologize. I agree with the comment above that stated that all the facts are not written and are not known. I believe that everyone should just wait and hear the facts after the investigation before making judgement. And I don't think the mistake or the alledged mistake should be a reflection of the whole Sheriff Dept. These guys get out everyday and night to protect you and me, while we are sleeping,they are risking their lives to protect us. The error of one does not mean that our children should not be taught to trust a policeman. I will always make sure my children know that policemen are their friends. Instead of judging the gentleman try praying for the families involved. I am sure they would appreciate it.

#4 Anonymous on 09/18/08 at 09:24 PM

This whole situation is beyond my comprehension!
Putting all cops in the same category is unfair and unjustified.
Should you be judged on the actions of others? That wouldn't be right either.
Many people are effected by this that had nothing to do with it! Yes, law enforcement is held to a higher standard and is expected to set a positive example. No argument there. Most of them take that responsibility extremely seriously, especially when it comes to children. Many are fathers themselves and are certain to protect kids in harms way, at all cost. Put yourself in their place before you generalize.
You could be using your voice to help heal this community instead of adding feul to the fire.

#5 willy on 09/19/08 at 05:30 AM

Just another bad apple in the barrel, when will it ever end?

#6 frustrated on 09/19/08 at 08:09 AM

Matthew 7:1-3 (KJV Bible) Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete (measure), it shall be measured to you again. AND WHY BEHOLDEST THOU THE MOTE THAT IS IN THY BROTHER'S EYE, BUT CONSIDEREST NOT THE BEAM THAT IS IN THINE OWN EYE?

The Webster Dictionary says that a mote is a small particle and a beam is a cut off log.

Those of you who have the audacity to post something against Mr. Roberts without even knowing him - should be careful judging him. Jeff has not been convicted of anything at this time. We don't even know that he is guilty. Maybe everyone should mind their own business (that beam in your own eye) and let the court decide what is what in this matter.

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