NJROTC instructor reported missing is now wanted for sexual assault, Georgia cops say
A high school teacher who was reported missing is now wanted for sexual assault, Georgia police say.
An arrest warrant was filed against Rodney Freeman, 56, in connection with the alleged incident on Dec. 13, according to the Henry County Police Department.
It comes days after he was last seen Tuesday, Dec. 17, at his home in McDonough.
Freeman is the Senior Naval Science instructor at Union Grove High School, where he oversees the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC), according to the school’s website.
“Our mission is to empower cadets to continue education and achieve personal and team goals by providing a conducive environment to develop leadership, character, confidence, discipline, teamwork, and self-reliance with an objective of shaping productive citizens,” his faculty page says.
A 17-year-old girl had accused Freeman of attempting sex acts with her, WSB-TV reported, citing police.
Her father reported the incident to police, according to the station. Authorities said they tried to contact Freeman, “but he lawyered up and then disappeared,” WSB-TV reported.
In a statement, Henry County Schools said Freeman was placed on administrative leave after district officials learned of the accusations.
“He has since become the subject of a missing persons investigation, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest related to an off campus incident,” a district spokesperson told McClatchy News.
“No further information is available at this time due to the ongoing nature of these investigations.”
Anyone with information on Freeman’s whereabouts is asked to call Det. T. Overbey at 770-288-8389, or contact the Henry County Police Department at 770-957-9121.
McDonough is about a 30-mile drive southeast from downtown Atlanta.