Bibb deputies suspended after allegation of sexual assault

Investigations are underway into whether a Bibb County sheriff's deputy sexually assaulted a woman at a motel, and why another deputy did not file an incident report after responding to a 911 call from the woman.

The initial investigation appears to show deputy James Stiles entering the woman's room at Macon Inn after taking her to the 1044 Riverside Drive motel at about 11 p.m. Sunday. Hours later, the 43-year-old woman called 911 to report that Stiles sexually assaulted her, however an incident report about her allegation was not written by deputy Tabitha Costello, according to a Bibb sheriff's news release.

The woman had been picked up by Stiles earlier Sunday evening after he responded to a call about a stranded person. On Tuesday, she reported to other deputies that she was sexually assaulted after they found her hiding by railroad cars near 100 Graphic Packaging International Way, the release said.

The GBI is investigating the incident and Bibb County Sheriff's Office is also performing an internal investigation on Stiles and Costello , the release said.

The deputies have been suspended with pay while the investigation is pending.

“These allegations of misconduct by our deputies is extremely concerning," Sheriff David Davis said. "Once the investigations are complete, we will move swiftly to hold each of the deputies accountable for any dereliction of duty in this case.”

Stanley Dunlap, 478-744-4623

This story was originally published December 7, 2017 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Bibb deputies suspended after allegation of sexual assault."