A former police sergeant charged with child molestation – now could stand trial in Carroll County– after he pled guilty and received sentencing for a similar crime in Cobb County.  

On March 10th, 2021 — 55-year old Austell Police officer Matthew Darren Atkins was arrested and charged with three counts of child molestation and one count of violation of oath of public officer. He was accused of molesting a 7-year-old girl while off duty.  

Atkins had been employed with the Austell department since February 2017 and was promoted to sergeant in December 2018, according to his record on Georgia’s Peace Officers Standards and Training Council. He previously worked for police departments in both Powder Springs and Douglasville.  

The criminal warrant released by the Magistrate Court of Cobb County claims Atkins touched the girl on her private parts, masturbated and ejaculated in front of her multiple times while living under the same roof. 

Three weeks after his arrest in Cobb County — on March 30, 2021, Carroll County Deputies arrested Atkins following an investigation into the allegation that he had molested an underaged individual in Carroll County years prior.  

“The alleged victim came forth after seeing Mr. Atkins arrest in Cobb County and disclosed to law enforcement about having been molested by Mr. Atkins several years ago,” A Carroll County official told WLBB Radio. “After further investigation, a warrant for Mr. Atkins was obtained for child molestation.” 

Atkins- now 58 — recently plead guilty to molesting the 7-year-old girl in Cobb County in 2021. He was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 12 years to be served in prison.

Atkins was scheduled for a calendar call in Carroll County Superior Court Judge Dustin Hightower’s courtroom this week concerning his 2021 arrest in Carroll County.