A former Georgia probation officer is now facing serious criminal charges in Rockdale County after state agents say he crossed a line with someone he was supposed to supervise.
Michael Smith, 54, of Covington was arrested this week in connection with an alleged sexual-misconduct case involving a probationer. Investigators say Smith faces three counts of Improper Sexual Contact by an Employee or Agent in the First Degree and was booked into the Rockdale County Jail on May 29. The case stems from an internal referral late last year and, for now, remains very much active as agents continue to gather evidence.
According to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision asked the agency to step in back in November 2025. Once the investigation wraps, the GBI says the full case file will be handed over to the Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office. Smith was publicly identified as the suspect, and investigators are still looking for anyone who might have information about his conduct.
Tips can be called in to GBI Region 10 at (770) 388-5019, and the agency notes that anonymous reports are also welcome through its online tip portal.
What the charge means under Georgia law
The criminal charge Smith faces is aimed at adults in positions of authority who have sexual contact with people under their supervision or control. Under Georgia law, consent is not a valid defense to this kind of allegation when that power imbalance exists.
The offense is laid out in O.C.G.A. § 16-6-5.1, which carries potentially steep prison terms and fines depending on the degree of the offense and any prior convictions. Prosecutors typically zero in on the exact nature of the supervisory relationship and the timing and circumstances of any alleged contact as they decide whether to file charges and how to frame a case.
What’s next
The case is set to be reviewed by the Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. Local officials have kept a tight lid on specific details about the alleged conduct while investigators continue interviews and dig through records.
If charges are formally filed, the DA’s office is expected to announce court dates and spell out any specific counts. Until then, the case sits in investigative limbo, with authorities signaling that more information could surface.
The GBI is again asking anyone with information to contact Region 10 at 770-388-5019 or to submit an anonymous tip online. Residents who have questions about jail processing or custody status are being directed to the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say they will share further updates when appropriate while the investigation continues.
