An alleged sexual relationship between 11-year Newnan Police Officer Todd Lengsfeld and a 15 year-old female led to his arrest Tuesday by Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) agents on molestation charges and subsequently to his termination from the department for policy violations.

Newnan Police on July 27 opened an internal investigation into the off-duty activities of Officer Lengsfeld, said Newnan Public Information Officer Gina Snider. The investigation was centered on the officer’s inappropriate contact with a female juvenile by use of a cell phone issued to him for official business by the Newnan Coweta Crime Suppression Unit, Snider said. As the investigation progressed, it was determined that the officer was in violation of several Newnan Police Department and City of Newnan personnel policies, Snider added.

Snider said the investigation also developed probable cause to believe the officer’s conduct might be criminal in nature. On July 28 the GBI was asked to investigate the possibility of criminal activity. Agents from the Columbus Regional Office conducted the investigation, according to GBI spokesperson John Bankhead.

Snider said Lengsfeld was placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the internal investigation and the criminal investigation.

On Aug. 4 Lengsfeld was arrested by GBI on charges of child molestation and his employment with Newnan Police Department was terminated due to internal policy violations.

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