Atlanta Police Sergeant Charged with Family Violence Battery, Removed from Enforcement Duties

ATLANTA, Ga. – An Atlanta Police Department sergeant who has frequently served as the department’s public spokesperson has been charged with family violence battery following an alleged domestic assault.

Sergeant Ashlee Maltbia-Burgess, who is assigned to the department’s Public Affairs Unit, was arrested on Aug. 3rd.

According to the arrest warrant, the alleged assault occurred between approximately 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. on July 31 at a residence on King Street NW in Atlanta.

Investigators allege Maltbia-Burgess picked up the victim by the neck and pinned her between a bed and a nightstand during the incident.

The warrant states the couple had been arguing throughout the day before the alleged assault. The victim told investigators she had fallen asleep and was awakened by the attack.

According to the warrant, Maltbia-Burgess left the residence with the couple’s child after the incident and allegedly told the victim she “wasn’t going to keep playing” with her before leaving.

The Atlanta Police Department said Maltbia-Burgess has been relieved of duty and reassigned to a non-enforcement role while the criminal case is pending.

The department also confirmed that its Office of Professional Standards has opened an internal investigation into the incident.

“It is to be noted that the Atlanta Police Department takes all allegations of misconduct seriously, and officers are expected to abide by the highest standards of our profession,” the department said in a statement.

The criminal charge remains an allegation, and Maltbia-Burgess is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.