A Gwinnett County Sheriff's deputy was arrested Wednesday for aggravated child molestation by sodomy.
Michael Lomax, 31, faces the charge after reportedly meeting the 13-year-old victim on Grindr, a gay social networking app known for chatting, dating and hook-ups, and performing oral sex on the victim. When the victim's mother learned of the encounter, she contacted Lilburn Police. The case was turned over to Gwinnett County Police and they obtained an arrest warrant. Dekalb County Police and the Fugitive Unit arrested Lomax in Stone Mountain around 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Lomax was a jailer with the Sheriff's Office for two years. Upon his arrest and arrival at the jail, he resigned in lieu of termination.
“While I am extremely disappointed in the actions of Michael Lomax and glad to see him behind bars, I am also alarmed that minors can access social media apps of this nature and utilize them to meet strangers," said Sheriff Butch Conway in a press release. "It’s a good idea for parents to be aware of the social media apps on their kids’ phones and this is a good example of why that’s important.”
Officials with the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office and the Gwinnett Police were unable to comment further on the case.
