Hall sheriff's deputy arrested for child molestation

GAINESVILLE - A 20-year veteran with the Hall County Sheriff's Office has been arrested for molesting a 3-year-old girl.

Hall County Sheriff's Col. Jeff Strickland said 42-year-old Michael D. Nix was arrested Thursday afternoon following an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

"The preliminary investigation revealed an allegation of aggravated child molestation involving a 3-year-old female that Nix's wife had been babysitting in their Clermont home," said Strickland.

He said Nix was put on administrative leave Monday when the allegations surfaced and was then terminated following his arrest.

Strickland said Nix served as an investigator in the internal affairs unit.

"It is unfortunate to have a veteran officer arrested on such serious charges, we take this very serious, therefore as a result of today's arrest the officer has been terminated and jailed," he said.

Nix is being held in the Hall County Jail without bond.