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Officer accused of child molestation waives first court appearance

The 15 warrants involved allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with three women over the past three years.

ATLANTA -- Former East Point Police Sgt. Richard Gooddine waived his first court appearance on Saturday.

Gooddine turned himself in to Fulton County authorities Friday evening following the issuance of 15 arrest warrants involving allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with three East Point women.

According to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, the incidents took place during Gooddine's term of employment with the police department in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The 15 charges include four counts of violation of oath by public officer, three counts of aggravated sexual battery, three counts of sexual assault by law enforcement agency employee, two counts of child molestation, two counts of threaten or cause physical or economic harm to hinder or delay testimony or prosecution and one count of enticing a child for indecent purposes.

RELATED | East Point cop fired during investigation into on-duty sexual assault of teen girl

Fulton County officials said Gooddine surrendered to authorities Friday evening.

Gooddine remains in the Fulton County Jail without bond. His next hearing is scheduled for September 14 at 9:30 a.m.

East Point Police fired Gooddine more than a week ago after an internal affairs investigation found he had "violated multiple departmental policies and procedures."

He is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl while on duty.

After the warrants were issued on Friday, an attorney for a teen's family, Thomas Reynolds Jr., issued a statement which said, in part, "The family will undoubtedly be relieved that this individual, who hid behind the protection of his badge, will finally have to face legal consequences for the allegations against him."

MORE | Cop investigated for sexual misconduct; accused of assaulting 15-year-old

The girl's mother initially telephoned 11Alive News and said her daughter was molested by Gooddine after an alleged traffic stop earlier this month. The teen was headed to Waffle House with two others early one morning. She says the officer ordered the teenager out of the car and told the others that she was breaking curfew since she was 15.

He told the others in the car he was taking her home.

The teen's family says that did not take place. They said Gooddine took the girl to a park and forced her to perform sexual acts for hours. When the teen finally did make it home, she told her mother about the incident and was taken to a local hospital.

ORIGINAL STORY | Mom alleges East Point officer sexually assaulted her 15-year-old daughter

“I felt betrayed," the mother said. "I was hurt and I was very angry that a police officer of the law would do such a thing."

While the teen was being examined, hospital security confirmed that Gooddine -- in his police uniform -- had showed up at the hospital, looking for for the girl.

"He proceeded to use his police title to roam the halls looking for her," the teen's mom said.

ALSO | Mom: Officer accused of assaulting her daughter showed up to hospital after

The mother said she had security escort the officer out to protect the teen and her family.

When 11Alive News contacted the East Point Police Department about the allegations at the time, they confirmed that Gooddine was placed on administrative leave with pay, pending an internal investigation on whether he had violated department policy.

Shortly after the initial incident, members of Gooddine's family said the allegations against him were "outside of his character," and had shocked the family.

But 11Alive News has learned that this incident was not the first time that Gooddine has faced these sorts of allegations.

PREVIOUSLY | East Point officer fired amid sexual assault allegations has faced similar accusations before

According to the East Point Police Department, Gooddine was investigated for child molestation and sexual battery against another 15-year-old in 2011. The department said there was not enough evidence to prosecute him at that point. He was placed on administrative leave and was allowed to return to full duty.

On Friday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation told 11Alive News their investigation of Gooddine remains active and ongoing.

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