The Gwinnett County Police Department has arrested one of its own following an investigation initiated by the officer’s patrol supervisor.
According to the GCPD, in late July, a supervisor began investigating inconsistencies in the patrol activities of Patrick Benjamin Ventura, 28, who worked out of the North Precinct, which provides police services to the cities of Buford, Sugar Hill, and Rest Haven, as well as unincorporated Suwanee, Braselton and Lawrenceville areas. During that investigation, the Special Victims Unit became involved as the allegations involved a girl under the age of 16.
Ventura has been arrested and charged with two counts of child molestation, one count of sexual battery against a child under the age of 16 and one count of violation of oath of office. He is incarcerated at the Gwinnett County Jail with no bond.
Specific details surrounding the criminal investigation are confidential in accordance with state law.
“The Gwinnett County Police Department works hard to provide excellent customer service to our community, and we hold one another to a high standard of personal conduct,” a release issued by the department states. “Though the actions of Ventura do not represent the hard-working members of the Gwinnett County Police Department, we hold every one of our officers accountable for their actions.”
Ventura, who has been served with a letter of intent to terminate, was hired by GCPD in October 2020 and graduated from the academy in spring 2021.
