ATLANTA — Bleckley County Sheriff Kris Coody has pleaded guilty to groping TV Judge Glenda Hatchett at a hotel bar in Cobb County. There was a state sheriff's convention happening at the hotel.
Effective this morning, Coody has resigned, according to lawyer Joel Pugh. According to his lawyer, Coody wrote a resignation letter to the governor this morning.
“My entire professional career, I have been involved in supporting victims," Judge Hatchett said in the courtroom on Monday “I have seen in my courtroom so many victims over the years.”
Cobb State Court Judge Carl Bowers apologized to Hatchett for how long the case took, and for her ordeal. He also thanked her for being in the courtroom today.
“To be on this side of this is very difficult. It is important for the defendant and everyone present to understand the horrific effect this has had on me." Hatchett said “This has cut me to the core”
Coody has been sentenced to 12 months probation, 40 hours of community service, a $500 fine, and a psychosexual evaluation, and he must complete an alcohol and drug course, which his lawyer says he has already completed.
He has also been ordered not to make any contact with Hatchett.
If he violates that order, Bowers said, “I will lock you up. Not a threat, simply a promise."
In June, Pugh said they were prepared to go to trial if they couldn't work things out with the state. But with the prosecution pushing for the trial to start Aug. 28, Coody and Pugh reached a plea agreement to avoid trial.
Kris Coody released a statement about his guilty plea. Here is that statement in full.
This morning I plead Guilty to a misdemeanor charge in Cobb County State Court. To be clear, I had no intent to touch Ms. Hatchett inappropriately. Unfortunately, I acted in a careless manner and for that I have taken full responsibility for my actions. Additionally, I have resigned as the Sheriff of Bleckley County effective 8:00 a.m. August 21, 2023, and as such thereby forfeited the pension that is typically associated with that office.
I have dedicated my adult life to law enforcement and have enjoyed the privilege and honor to serve in that capacity. I would like to especially thank the citizens of Bleckley County for an opportunity to serve as Sheriff in such a wonderful community. I would like to express that it has been an honor to serve the citizens of Bleckley County and I appreciate the support I have always received and continue to receive from them along with the entire staff of the Bleckley County Sheriff’s Office. I would like to apologize to the citizens of Bleckley County for the entirety of this unfortunate incident.
As an elected official, you are held to a higher standard. Therefore, when you stumble, often is the case that the punishment for your actions is set at a substantially higher standard. To all my fellow elected officials, be ever so vigilant of your words and actions. As elected officials you are constantly under scrutiny and your paths are littered with pitfalls. This is the nature of politics.
I know that I will move forward and overcome this setback. I have never allowed my mistakes to dictate who I am or diminish my spirit and resolve. I ask the community for your continued support and that you continue to overwhelm the Bleckley County Sheriff’s Office with the same support and encouragement you have been so gracious to have given me during my tenure as Sheriff.