A family from Gwinnett County has filed a lawsuit against the city of Atlanta and a former Atlanta police officer, alleging a disturbing history of the Atlanta Police Department’s neglect in addressing sexual predators within its ranks.
The lawsuit arises from the 2023 case involving Officer Anthony Anderson, who is accused of assaulting a 16-year-old girl while she was recovering from a car crash.
According to police reports, Anderson met the teenager while responding to a single-car crash on August 2, 2023. The alleged assault occurred later that day, after Anderson had completed his shift.
The lawsuit claims that Anderson interrupted medical personnel responding to the scene, took the girl in his squad car to a nearby gas station, and later picked her up once he had clocked out.
“Under the pretense of offering to drive her home, Anderson took a detour, drove to a secluded section of roadway to avoid detection, and forced Plaintiff Z.A. to perform oral sex upon him,” the lawsuit details.
After the incident, Anderson reportedly dropped the girl off in front of her parents’ house. She later disclosed the assault to her guidance counselor, prompting a police investigation that ultimately led to Anderson’s arrest.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum expressed his dismay following the arrest, stating, “Not only am I disturbed and disappointed by these allegations, but it also angers me. We ask the public to trust us to do the right thing, to keep them safe.”
Anderson has been charged with serious crimes including aggravated sexual battery, cruelty to children, and violations of his oath of office. Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to lesser charges, including improper sexual conduct, and was sentenced to six years in prison.
Records indicate that Anderson has been employed with the Atlanta Police Department since March 2016, raising concerns over the department’s hiring practices.
The family’s legal representatives have accused the Atlanta Police Department of negligent hiring practices and failing to properly address internal instances of sexual misconduct by officers.
The lawsuit argues that the frequency of sexual misconduct by APD officers can be traced back to a culture of negligence in hiring, training, supervision, and promotions.
“The overwhelming rate at which APD officers engage in sexual misconduct while on the job is the result of negligent practices, creating an environment where assaulting, battering, and raping civilians is viewed as acceptable,” the legal complaint alleges.
The documents also reference a history of sexual assault and rape allegations against several APD officers since 2004, highlighting the systemic issues within the department.
The latest incident cited in the lawsuit involves a former officer, Benjamin Travis Hopson, who faces charges of enticing a child for indecent purposes. Prior to these allegations, Hopson had been reassigned to a non-enforcement role on May 18, 2023, although the department did not specify the reasons.
The lawsuit states, “As alleged herein, sexual misconduct by APD officers is neither novel nor rare and is rather reflective of a history, pattern, practice, and de facto policy within the APD.”
Additionally, the family’s attorneys accuse the city of failing to adequately supervise its officers, despite a troubling history of misconduct, and for allegedly concealing investigations from the public.
The lawsuit describes the profound impact of the assault on the teenager’s life, stating that it has led her to require significant professional and psychological support.
As she prepares to graduate, the family seeks a jury trial and damages, which also include attorney fees, reflecting the seriousness of their claims against the city and its police department.
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