DALTON, Ga. — A Dalton man who was a parole officer with the Whitfield/Murray offices of the Department of Community Supervision has been charged with sexual assault after an inappropriate relationship with a parolee under his supervision was reported to authorities.  

Aldo F. Avila, 35, of 606 Olivia Drive, turned himself in on Friday on a charge of sexual assault by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority. He was booked into the Whitfield County jail and released Friday on a $25,000 bond.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Greg Ramey of the Calhoun office said the investigation began in June 2016. According to the affidavit presented to the Whitfield County grand jury during the February term, sexual assaults happened over four months, beginning in February 2016. Ramey said he could not answer whether the relationship was consensual between Avila and the individual. 

“It is really hard to quantify how someone feels or not and whether it was consensual,” Ramey said. “He has supervisory authority over a person, and there is certain influence which can be brought to bear, which is why the law is in place.”

James Hill, the public information officer for the Department of Community Supervision, said Avila was suspended with pay and an internal investigation was launched when the allegations were brought forward in June. Avila resigned within a week of the department launching its investigation on June 15. He was hired in August 2013.

“Should the accusations against Avila prove true, this conduct is unacceptable and repugnant to all that we at DCS stand for,” Hill said. “There is no allowance for misconduct or illegal activity whatsoever within our department.”

According to a press release, the GBI was called in by the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Community Supervision after the initial allegations were reported. Agent Steve Rogers handled the investigation for the GBI.

Ramey said the evidence was submitted to District Attorney Bert Poston, who sought the indictment in February. 

Brandon Bell, the coordinating chief of the Dalton office of DCS, referred all questions to the Atlanta executive offices of the department.