Former Gray Police Officer Charged With Sexual Battery Following GBI Investigation

GRAY, Ga. – A former Gray Police Department officer has been arrested and charged with sexual battery following an investigation into allegations involving inappropriate contact with a child while he was off duty, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The GBI identified the former officer as William Paul Hathaway, 54, of Gray.

Hathaway was arrested and booked into the Jones County Jail. The GBI announced the arrest Thursday, Aug. 20.

The investigation began July 12 when the Gray Police Department requested that the GBI investigate allegations involving one of its officers.

According to the GBI, investigators received allegations that Hathaway had inappropriate contact with a child while he was off duty. The agency did not provide the child’s age or disclose details about the alleged contact.

Hathaway was subsequently charged with Sexual Battery.

Hathaway No Longer Employed by Gray Police

The GBI confirmed that Hathaway is no longer employed by the Gray Police Department. Authorities did not say when his employment ended or whether his departure was directly related to the investigation.

No additional charges have been announced.

The GBI said the investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173.