Rockdale County deputy faces sexual battery charge

A Rockdale County deputy was arrested Thursday and charged with sexual battery, the sheriff’s office confirmed in a news release.

The arrest of Dedra Hall, 40, of Covington, stems from a complaint filed with the Rockdale County Human Resources Department on April 12, the release said. No details were released regarding the complaint.

But Channel 2 Action News reported that the alleged encounter happened in the magistrate court clerk’s office between Hall, who also works as a bailiff, and a female county employee. The Aug. 9 arrest warrant accuses Hall of “sexual battery by touching ... without consent,” the news station reported.

“Based on the investigation, it appears it could have been something that could have been ongoing, but we don't know because we haven't completed the investigation,” sheriff’s office spokeswoman Yolande Lovingood-Moore told Channel 2.

Hall has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation, the release said.

Lovingood-Moore said the sheriff’s office has received social media backlash about the investigation.

“It's not that we're saying Deputy Hall is guilty of anything. It's just stating that there's enough evidence that it needs to be looked into further by a state official,” she said.

Hall was released Thursday on a $500 bond, according to Rockdale County Jail records.

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