A city official from Douglas, Georgia has been cuffed for allegedly spying on a teacher. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced that Roger Goddard, a Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Douglas, has been charged with invasion of privacy through surveillance, and making false statements.
Details emerged following a request from the Coffee County Board of Education Police Department for the GBI to take a closer look into the case in February. It was during their probe that agents learned Goddard, alongside an accomplice, was seen installing a tracking device on a teacher's vehicle parked on school grounds. At fifty years old, the now-accused served not only as an officer for the city but also held credentials as a Georgia POST-certified law enforcement officer.
Agents made their move and arrested Goddard at the Douglas City Hall on May 16, without a hitch. Post-arrest procedures followed, landing him within the confines of the Coffee County Jail.
In an ongoing effort to unearth further details, the GBI has called on the public for assistance. Information regarding the case can be funnelled through several channels; by phoning the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103, submitting anonymously by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), or going online to the GBI's tips portal. A mobile app, See Something, Send Something, also stands by ready for tipsters poised to contribute.
While Goddard remains behind bars, the GBI's deep dive into the allegations is far from over. Authorities reiterated that their search for the truth is steadfast and ongoing. Once they have combed through the facts and assembled their findings, the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office is set to take over, with the task of reviewing the case file for prosecution.
