Grady couple charged in molestation case

August 25, 2006

By Patti Dozier The Times Enterprise Fri Aug 25, 2006, 11:53 PM EDT

CAIRO — A Grady County couple is behind bars in connection with a state and local child-molestation investigation that began Sunday.

Ricky Lee Sadler, 39, who lives in southern Grady County, was arrested Monday at a car wash in the Cairo Wal-Mart parking lot. He is charged with aggravated child molestation and child molestation.

Sadler’s wife, Patricia Sadler, 38, of the same address, was arrested Friday morning at the Grady County Sheriff’s Office and charged with cruelty to children in the first degree and making false statement.

“She withheld some information that hindered the investigation,” Sgt. Pat Pollock, a Grady sheriff’s office investigator, said Friday.

Mr. Sadler, a truck driver, was denied bond and remains in the Grady County Jail. Mrs. Sadler was awaiting a bond hearing Friday afternoon.

“There are more charges coming,” the investigator said, in reference to Mr. Sadler.

The case against Mr. Sadler involves two females under the age of 16. “It’s been ongoing for approximately six years,” Pollock said about alleged activity leading to the arrests.

“It was reported to us by a concerned citizen,” the investigator explained.

The alleged activity was reported to the sheriff’s office Sunday. A victim was interviewed, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) entered the case.

Ronnie Thompson, special agent in charge of the Thomasville regional GBI office, acknowledged his agency’s involvement, but declined further comment.

“It’s been several different addresses that it occurred at,” Pollock said. “It’s been in five different residences in the last six years it’s taken place.”

The investigation is continuing.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.