CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A police officer is accused of sending nude pictures of himself to a child, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Friday.
Lake City police Officer Jonathan Balsam, 31, was charged with obscene internet contact with a child, electronically furnishing obscene material to minors and violation of oath of public office, the GBI said.
Channel 2's Chris Jose was in Clayton County, where Balsam was being held at the Clayton County jail.
Jose got the arrest warrant, where he learned that Balsam met the minor while on the job and proceeded to contact the victim on Facebook Messenger.
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Balsam met the child in December, the warrant said. He's accused of sending very graphic and sexual messages to the child.
Jose spoke to the police chief, who said Balsam, a husband and father of two, was on patrol Thursday when the GBI showed up to make the arrest.
Lake City Chief Tony Whitmire said his department is cooperating fully with the investigation.
"Allegations such as these are always a black mark on the department and the profession as a whole," Whitmire said. "We'll see where it goes from here."
Whitmire said Balsam has been with the department for two years and never had any issues until now.
Jose tried reaching out to Balsam, who is on paid adminstrative leave, but his calls were not returned.
Cox Media Group
