Gwinnett County Police investigators said Wednesday they have charged a 37-year-old high school teacher with sexual battery and sexual assault in connection with two separate incidents involving female students.
Police Sgt. Jake Smith said Brad Elliott of Waleska was a teacher and football coach at Buford High School at the time the incidents occurred.
Smith said in one incident Elliott is accused of touching the buttocks of a female student during class. He is charged with sexual battery in that case.
In the second incident, Smith said Elliott and the female student engaged in consensual sex. However, even though the student is 16 and is considered "of age," Elliott was charged with sexual assault.
"[Code section O.C.G.A. 16-5-5.1(B)] makes it illegal for a teacher to have sexual contact with a student at their own school, even if both parties are over the age of consent," Smith said in a press statement. "Victim 2 is over the age of consent, which is 16 in the State of Georgia."
Smith said both offenses occurred during the current school year on the Buford High School property.
Elliott has resigned from the school system. He is also a former teacher at Roswell High School, according to Smith.
Elliot turned himself in Wednesday evening and was booked into the Gwinnett County Detention Center.
