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Sheriff: Bibb deputy accused of sexual assault won't be charged

The DA reviewed the GBI's report and determined no criminal charges will be filed against the deputy.

UPDATE (5:15pm): District Attorney David Cooke sent WMAZ the following statement via e-mail about the James Stiles case.

“The GBI conducted a thorough investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct arising from a December 2017 encounter between Stiles and a woman at the Macon Inn on Riverside Drive. Stiles was not arrested following the incident, and as a result of the findings of the GBI’s investigation, no charges will be pursued by the district attorney’s office. The investigation did not reveal sufficient evidence to prove the alleged sex acts were conducted without the woman’s consent. Although intoxication of an alleged victim does not preclude a finding of nonconsensual sex, it made it difficult for the woman to provide a consistent account of the evenings events. After being informed of the decision not to pursue charges, the woman expressed relief that the she would not have to testify at a trial and that the matter was concluded.”

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A Bibb County deputy accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a motel last year will not face criminal charges, the sheriff's office says.

In December. the sheriff's office said Deputy James Stiles brought the woman to the Macon Inn on Riverside Drive on Dec. 3, got her a room and allegedly assaulted her.

Stiles and a second deputy were suspended four days later.

RELATED: Two Bibb deputies suspended after woman reports sexual assault

Stiles had worked on an off-duty job that night, but was in uniform and driving a patrol car, according to a news release.

But on Monday, the sheriff's office wrote, "We received word last week that the District Attorney had reviewed the GBI report into Deputy Stiles actions and that they have determined that no criminal charges will be brought against Stiles."

District Attorney David Cooke's office says they'll release further information on the case later today explaining why they chose not to prosecute Stiles.

The sheriff's department says they're still "reviewing administrative options in relation to policy violations on the part of Deputy Stiles."

In December, the sheriff's department said the woman reported the alleged assault to Deputy Tabitha Costello, who did not file an incident report.

Costello was suspended for 10 days, but has appealed that through the Civil Service Board, the sheriff's office said. No hearing date has been set.

And in January, the sheriff's office said the woman told another deputy later that same afternoon, but Deputy Douglas Taylor did not take evidence the woman tried to give him and did not follow up.

RELATED: Third deputy suspended in sexual assault case

Taylor was also suspended for 10 days and did not appeal his suspension, the sheriff's office says.

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