Woman says she was assaulted during traffic stop

The GBI and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office are investigating after a woman claims she was assaulted during a traffic stop on Sunday night.

The GBI's John Bankhead tells WSB the woman was pulled over around 10 p.m. in a rural area of B. Whitfield Road and Holiday Cemetery Road off of US 129.

Bankhead says the woman told them the man identified himself as a member of law enforcement, had his blue lights on, and what appeared to be a law enforcement uniform.  His vehicle was a Crown Victoria. 

"We do know, according to what she reported that a red pick-up truck drove by the traffic stop very slowly.  Whoever that driver was in that red pick-up truck, we would like to talk to that driver.  We're also wanting to talk to anybody that may have been stopped in this same area, for whatever reason," said Bankhead.

Bankhead says they're still trying to determine if the man was with law enforcement.  Some deputies in Jackson County do drive Crown Victorias.

The woman was injured, but Bankhead would not elaborate on the type of assault.

"Well, we don't want to get into the details of it at this point, but it was  of a physical nature," said Bankhead.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI Athens office at 706-552-2309 or the GBI Tip line at 1-800-597-8477.