Former Tyrone police officer Matthew New was arrested March 11 by investigators with the Fayetteville Police Department on 41 charges involving children, including child molestation and aggravated sexual battery. New resigned his position in Tyrone in late February while under investigation for unrelated policy violations.

The 38-year-old Fayetteville resident was arrested on the basis of an investigation by Fayetteville police that began Feb. 2, said Chief Steve Heaton. The former Tyrone officer was initially arrested on two charges of child molestation, Heaton said.

Information stemming from the investigation resulted in 39 additional charges, said Heaton. Of those, New has been charged with one count of aggravated sexual battery, one count of sexual battery, two counts of enticing a child for indecent purposes and 35 counts of child pornography, according to jail records.

Heaton said more than one child was victimized. The children were under age 16 at the time of the incidents, he said, and one of the children was a family member.

The allegation of molestation filed by a member of New’s family occurred in November 2007, said Heaton.

During the investigation, several pieces of New’s computer were taken for examination, Heaton said, adding that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conducted a forensic examination of New’s computer that revealed evidence of the crime, he said. In addition to that evidence, Heaton said other evidence of other crimes were also located that led to the additional charges.

Heaton said other charges could be forthcoming if the investigation by the GBI reveals additional evidence.

Tyrone Police Chief Brandon Perkins said Officer New was placed on administrative leave from the Tyrone Police Department immediately upon the agency being notified of the investigation by Fayetteville police on Feb. 2.

New later resigned from the Tyrone Police Department on Feb. 24 while under an internal investigation of unrelated policy violations pertaining to issues such as potentially falsifying time sheets, Perkins said, adding that New resigned prior to the conclusion of the investigation.

New began his employment with the Tyrone Police Department on Jan. 22, 2001, according to Perkins.