Politics
Smyrna Republican House challenger arrested in child molestation, indecency investigation
Andre Stafford, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Gabriel Sanchez in Georgia House District 42, was arrested Oct. 22 after a girl reported that a driver exposed himself near her Smyrna school bus stop. A warrant says police used camera footage and a lineup to identify Stafford; the charges are allegations, not findings of guilt.
A Republican candidate for a Georgia House seat was arrested last week on child molestation and public indecency charges after a girl reported that a man exposed himself to her near her school bus stop in Smyrna, according to a police warrant.
Smyrna police arrested Andre Stafford on Oct. 22. He is challenging incumbent Rep. Gabriel Sanchez, a Democrat representing House District 42.
The girl told police the incident happened Oct. 15 as she walked to a bus stop on Hillsdale Parkway. She said a driver pulled alongside her, called her pretty and exposed himself, the warrant says.
Investigators used Flock camera footage to trace a vehicle entering a condominium complex at 8:11 a.m. The alleged incident occurred at about 8:27 a.m., according to the warrant. Police traced the vehicle to Stafford and brought him in for a lineup, where the girl identified him, the warrant says.
The charges are accusations, and the available information does not establish guilt. Stafford’s campaign had not responded to a request for comment as of Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, according to the report.