An internal investigation regarding allegations that a Brooklet police officer acted inappropriately was turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Brooklet Police Chief Mike Buchan confirmed that the GBI has taken over the case, but he would not comment on a photograph posted on the Internet social networking site Facebook that showed suspended Brooklet Police Officer De Hagan with two girls in a suggestive pose.
Hagan, currently under investigation after allegations he acted inappropriately by making unwelcome gestures, comments and text messages to a Southeast Bulloch High School teen, has not returned messages to the Statesboro Herald seeking comment, either.
"We are conducting a preliminary investigation to see whether there are any criminal aspects in the allegations," said Statesboro GBI Special Agent-in-Charge Chris Hosey. "If there is not a criminal violation we will close the investigation."
As of Tuesday, the investgation remained under investigation and Hosey had no further comment.
After a called Brooklet City Council meeting Oct. 7 to discuss the allegations, the teen's father, Jimmy Barnwell, said Hagan, who worked as the SEB security officer, asked for his daughter's phone number so he could "keep up with softball scores." But then the tone of his text messages changed to include inappropriate comments including a reference in a Sept. 26 text message to his wanting to kiss her.
Buchan also said he was unaware of a photo posted on Facebook, an Internet-based social networking site. The photo shows Hagan holding a long neck glass bottle, standing next to two young ladies. All three have tongues extended towards the bottle's neck. The photo was brought to the Statesboro Herald's attention last week.
When asked, Buchan declined to comment on the photo and said Hagan would not respond to queries about the photo's existence. "No ma'am, there won't be a comment from De."
Hosey said Buchan asked the GBI to aid in the internal investigation last week. During the Oct. 7 Brooklet City Council called meeting, Buchan said he had asked four agencies to help with the investigation and they all declined.
He would not say which agencies he asked. Statesboro Police Chief Stan York said Buchan had not asked his department for assistance. Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson said Buchan asked one of his investigators for help, but the department had decided not to get involved if it was a personnel issue.
Allegations and Facebook "friends list"
People with accounts on Facebook or other social networking sites can invite others with accounts to be included in their group of friends, which means those accepted can access the account holder's personal information.
Those without access to a person's Facebook account can only view a photo, the person's list of friends, send messages, and ask to be accepted as a friend.
Last Thursday, Hagan's Facebook account displayed 116 "friends."
The next day, Hagan's Facebook account showed a significant reduction in his "friends list." The number of people listed as Hagan's friends was down from 116 to 88 the day after Buchan was informed about the photo.
Brooklet Police Chief Mike Buchan confirmed that the GBI has taken over the case, but he would not comment on a photograph posted on the Internet social networking site Facebook that showed suspended Brooklet Police Officer De Hagan with two girls in a suggestive pose.
Hagan, currently under investigation after allegations he acted inappropriately by making unwelcome gestures, comments and text messages to a Southeast Bulloch High School teen, has not returned messages to the Statesboro Herald seeking comment, either.
"We are conducting a preliminary investigation to see whether there are any criminal aspects in the allegations," said Statesboro GBI Special Agent-in-Charge Chris Hosey. "If there is not a criminal violation we will close the investigation."
As of Tuesday, the investgation remained under investigation and Hosey had no further comment.
After a called Brooklet City Council meeting Oct. 7 to discuss the allegations, the teen's father, Jimmy Barnwell, said Hagan, who worked as the SEB security officer, asked for his daughter's phone number so he could "keep up with softball scores." But then the tone of his text messages changed to include inappropriate comments including a reference in a Sept. 26 text message to his wanting to kiss her.
Buchan also said he was unaware of a photo posted on Facebook, an Internet-based social networking site. The photo shows Hagan holding a long neck glass bottle, standing next to two young ladies. All three have tongues extended towards the bottle's neck. The photo was brought to the Statesboro Herald's attention last week.
When asked, Buchan declined to comment on the photo and said Hagan would not respond to queries about the photo's existence. "No ma'am, there won't be a comment from De."
Hosey said Buchan asked the GBI to aid in the internal investigation last week. During the Oct. 7 Brooklet City Council called meeting, Buchan said he had asked four agencies to help with the investigation and they all declined.
He would not say which agencies he asked. Statesboro Police Chief Stan York said Buchan had not asked his department for assistance. Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson said Buchan asked one of his investigators for help, but the department had decided not to get involved if it was a personnel issue.
Allegations and Facebook "friends list"
People with accounts on Facebook or other social networking sites can invite others with accounts to be included in their group of friends, which means those accepted can access the account holder's personal information.
Those without access to a person's Facebook account can only view a photo, the person's list of friends, send messages, and ask to be accepted as a friend.
Last Thursday, Hagan's Facebook account displayed 116 "friends."
The next day, Hagan's Facebook account showed a significant reduction in his "friends list." The number of people listed as Hagan's friends was down from 116 to 88 the day after Buchan was informed about the photo.