DeKalb deputy arrested on multiple charges including sex trafficking, rape and child molestation

DECATUR, Ga. — A DeKalb County deputy has been arrested on multiple charges including sex trafficking, child molestation and child cruelty.

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DeKalb County Police arrested Derrick Gardner, 34, on Feb. 6 in Decatur. He’s been charged with trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, rape, child molestation, cruelty to children in the first degree, enticing a child for indecent purposes and aggravated sexual battery.

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The details about what Gardner is accused of doing have not been released.

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Gardner is currently being held without bond in the DeKalb County jail. He’s been fired from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

Earlier this month, a Spalding County deputy was arrested and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and electronically distributing obscene materials to a minor.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation determined that Deputy Mason Lumpkin sent pictures and Snapchat messages to a 16-year-old girl. Those photos were later seen by a 9-year-old girl.

Lumpkin was placed on administrative leave while the GBI investigated. He was fired on February 1 when Spalding County District Attorney made the decision to criminally charge Lumpkin.

“I never suspected anything like this going on with this young man,” neighbor Willie Maffett said.

Maffett told Channel 2′s Audrey Washington he has known Derrick Gardner and his family for 15 years.

“I’ve never seen any signs of abuse. He’s always been a mild mannered person,” Maffett said.

DeKalb police put out a statement about the case Monday afternoon:

“On Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022 the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a 911 call and report of a rape. As a result of the investigation, Derrick Gardner was arrested and charged with Rape, Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, Child Molestation, Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, Enticing a Child for Indecent Purposes and Aggravated Sexual Battery. During the course of the investigation, Lakreshia Brookins was also arrested for Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree.”

It was not immediately clear how Brookins was connected to the case.

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