Gainesville officer arrested, charged with aggravated assault

A Gainesville police officer was arrested Monday following his alleged assault of a minor in 2017, officials said.

Derek Evatt, 40, was taken to the Hall County Jail and charged with aggravated assault after a GBI investigation, the Gainesville Police Department said in a statement.

The department asked the GBI to investigate after a complaint was made Wednesday. The arrest stems from an “off-duty domestic-related issue” in late 2017 involving a minor, police said.

Evatt was also fired from the department.

“Although a sad and unfortunate situation, if an officer violates the law, they will face consequences,” Gainesville police Chief Jay Parrish said in a statement. “I, along with my administration, expect all officers to conduct themselves ethically, honestly and with integrity both on and off duty.”

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