Georgia man charged with molestation - and more Chattanooga region news

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Georgia man charged with molestation

LaFAYETTE, Ga. - Six months after the alleged crime, LaFayette police arrested and charged a man with exposing himself to two children.

On July 16, according to a LaFayette Police Department incident report, William Edward Sabec went into the bathroom of a home with an 11-year-old girl. Sabec, 23, told the girl to take off her shorts and underwear. Then Sabec allegedly took off his own clothes and groped her.

A 10-year-old boy, meanwhile, was standing in the shower, according to a warrant. Still naked, Sabec allegedly told the boy to look at him.

After the children told their mothers what happened -- and the mothers called police -- Sabec ran away. He was not found until Thursday, when he was booked at the Whitfield County Jail.

The reason Sabec was in the Whitfield jail is unclear. LaFayette police had issued a warrant for his arrest, and an officer may have arrested him after pulling him over for another reason, such as speeding. Sabec also may have turned himself in.

LaFayette police picked up Sabec in Whitfield and moved him to the Walker County Jail on Friday, where he remains in lieu of a $26,000 bond.

Police have charged him with two counts of child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes and sexual battery.


Grand jury set in ethics case

ATLANTA - A federal grand jury is scheduled to receive documents related to a state ethics commission investigation into ethics complaints against Gov. Nathan Deal.

At least four people received subpoenas last month asking for records to be produced to the grand jury on Tuesday. Those included two current and two former commission employees.

Deal's attorney has said the inquiry doesn't involve the governor and likely includes allegations agency documents in the case may have been altered or destroyed.

The subpoenas show federal authorities want any documents related to the commission's investigation of Deal's campaign finances and disclosures during his 2010 run for governor, but reveal nothing about the scope of the inquiry.

Deal was cleared of major charges in the ethics probe and agreed to pay $3,350 in administrative fees.


Education advocate to speak at school

DALTON, Ga. - Syndicated columnist and education advocate Dick Yarbrough will speak on how "You Can Make a Difference" in public education at a free event Feb. 4 at Dalton High School, a news release states.

Anyone interested in public education issues and successful strategies for community support of education is urged to attend the 7 p.m. talk in the school's large lecture hall, according to the release from the office of Sen. Charlie Bethel, R-Dalton.


Man sentenced for child sex abuse

ALABAMA CITY, Ala. - An eastern Alabama man has been given four life sentences on charges of aggravated child abuse, rape and sodomy.

The Gadsden Times reported Tuesday that 46-year-old Johnnie Edwin Fox Jr. was convicted of abusing two children, ages 5 and 8, in late November.

Deputy Etowah County District Attorney Carol Griffith says Fox already was facing life sentences for several prior felony convictions when he was sentenced for the sexual abuse.