On August 2, 2023, a 16-year-old minor reported to Gwinnett County officials that she had been sexually assaulted earlier that morning by an off-duty Atlanta Police officer, later identified as Officer Anthony L. Anderson. The Gwinnett County Police Department began looking into the incident and ultimately questioned Mr. Anderson on August 11th, 2023. It was that same day the Atlanta Police Department became aware of the incident. At that time, Officer Anderson was moved out of the Field Operations Division and an internal investigation into the incident was immediately opened.

This investigation revealed that Officer Anderson was dispatched to a single car accident during the early morning hours of August 2nd. Upon arrival, he made contact with the 16-year-old driver of the vehicle. Subsequent actions by Officer Anderson during and after his shift would lead to a criminal investigation led by Atlanta Police Department’s Special Victims Unit.

After a thorough investigation of the facts of the incident, detectives obtained the probable cause necessary to charge Mr. Anderson with Violation of Oath of Office, Cruelty to Children (2nd degree), Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Aggravated Sodomy. Mr. Anderson was taken into custody on October 5, 2023, and transported to Fulton County Jail without incident.

“Not only am I disturbed and disappointed by these allegations, but it also angers me,” said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. “We ask the public to trust us to do the right thing, to keep them safe. So, when one of our own is accused of despicable acts with a minor, it erodes that trust that sometimes takes years to build.  You can be assured, I will act swiftly to investigate anytime allegations of misconduct are brought to my attention. I want to thank the Atlanta Police Department’s criminal investigation division for their prompt action in dealing with this matter.”

While an arrest in this case has been made, the investigation into the incident remains active and ongoing. The Atlanta Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is requesting if anyone has any further information regarding this incident, please reach out to them at (404) 546-4260 or contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477), or online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org. Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 for the arrest and indictment of the suspect.

Ofc. Anthony Anderson Personnel File_Redacted

Ofc. A. Anderson OPS History Sheet