By Joe Johnson
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Friday arrested a former Oconee County deputy for allegedly sexually assaulting an inmate at the county jail two months ago.
Blake Edward Patat, 30, of Comer, was charged with one count of sexual assault after the Oconee County Sheriff requested the GBI to investigate after allegations of the incident were made.
Patat was arrested for having sexual contact with a person in custody – someone over whom Patat had supervisory or disciplinary authority, according to the GBI.
The incident is believed to have occurred on July 25, 2021.
Patat, a 2009 graduate of Oglethorpe County High School, was hired by the sheriff’s office in February of this year, after serving five years in the U.S. Army, according to his LinkedIn profile.
As of Friday evening, Patat was being fetained without bail at the same jail where he formerly worked.
This investigation is ongoing, and the GBI asked for anyone with information to contact the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 769-3945 or the GBI's Region 11 Field Office at (706) 552-2309. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
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