Newton County deputy accused of raping woman while on patrol, GBI officials say

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Newton County deputy has been arrested after officials say he raped someone while on patrol.

Officials identified the deputy as George Rahming, 38, of Covington, and confirmed that he has been fired.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office received an allegation from a woman who said she was raped by a deputy in uniform, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

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After it received the allegation, the sheriff’s office requested that the GBI conduct the investigation.

According to the allegation, Rahming was on patrol in uniform when he saw a woman who he eventually made contact with. The GBI did not specify what led to them making contact.

During the encounter, investigators said he engaged in sexual activity with the victim.

The victim was not in custody at the time of the incident, according to authorities.

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Rahming has been charged with rape, sexual assault and violating oath of office and is in custody at the jail.

According to the GBI, Rahming had been employed with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office for about two years.

Channel 2′s Audrey Washington was in Rahming’s neighborhood on Thursday, where people who knew him were shocked.

Neighbors said that seeing the sheriff’s deputy’s car parked in front of his home on Highgate Trail made them feel safe. Now, they’re nervous and scared.

As soon as Debbie Morris saw the commotion at her neighbor’s house across the street, she just knew something terrible happened.

“I saw the tow truck, towing the car that was in front of his house,” Morris said. “Then I saw three other cop cars following behind the tow truck.”

Nelly Miles with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said that after the woman made the allegation against Rahming, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office started to investigate.

“Essentially this woman was not in custody, he was wearing his uniform, she wasn’t accused of any crimes,” Miles said. “This woman is a victim.”

Washington went to Rahming’s home, but the people inside did not answer the door.

Neighbors said they were in shock.

“You think that when you have a sheriff’s deputy in your neighborhood you think that you’re going to be safe, so to hear that is very devastating,” Morris said. “It makes me really nervous.”

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Conyers at 770-388-5019.

Rahming is waiting for his first court appearance. Washington learned that he’s been fired.

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