Victims blacked out after drinks with fire official, GA cops say. He faces rape charges
An investigation into a sexual assault ended in the arrest of a south Georgia fire official, authorities say.
Michael Baker Jr., 35, of Odum, faces three counts of rape and one count of felony aggravated sodomy, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced in an Aug. 11 news release.
Baker, a then-lieutenant with the Jesup Fire Department, is accused of assaulting multiple people after having drinks with them, the release said.
McClatchy News reached out to the fire department for comment Wednesday, Aug. 16, and was awaiting a response.
The GBI launched an investigation on July 27 after agents were asked to look into a rape claim made against Baker, according to authorities. While investigating the first allegation, agents learned there were more victims.
The victims told investigators Baker offered them drinks that caused them to black out, the release said. That’s when he allegedly had “sexual activity” with them.
Baker was still employed with the fire department at the time but resigned after the GBI began investigating.
He was arrested Aug. 10 and booked into the Wayne County Jail, online records show. He remained in custody without bond as of Aug. 16.
Authorities didn’t release additional information but said the investigation is ongoing.
Jesup is about 60 miles southwest of Savannah.