Written by: E. George
Published April 25, 2023 @ 8:40 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding sexual battery against children.
ALBANY, Ga. – A Gillionville Road YMCA lifeguard noticed suspicious behavior between an adult male and a young child in the pool on April 10, 2023. He told an Albany Police officer that the 45-year-old man offered to play with the boy while the boy’s mother took part in an aquatics class, and he witnessed him touch the child’s buttocks and penis.
The lifeguard said that the suspect, William Franklin Smith, placed the boy on his lap, touched his “front area,” and exited the pool to visit the restroom “every five minutes.” He tried getting the juvenile’s mother’s attention to alert her to the danger.
When the mother asked the boy if Smith had touched his penis, he answered yes at first, but after she explained the difference between “good touch and bad touch,” he changed his reply to no. He stated that Smith was his friend.
The officer viewed the security footage, and although the pool water and camera angle made it impossible to see everything, he observed some of the interactions between Smith and the boy. At one point, he saw Smith take him to a corner of the pool and out of the frame of the camera.
The witnesses provided written statements, and the video was submitted into evidence. The officer located and handcuffed Smith at the intersection of West Lincoln and Valencia Avenue and transported him to the Oglethorpe Boulevard Law Enforcement Center.
Smith was charged with sexual battery against a child under 16. This case is currently pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
I (Ptl. Newberry) responded in normal patrol mode to 1701 Gillionville Rd (YMCA) in reference to a Contact Person. Upon arrival, I made contact with [WITNESS #1]. [WITNESS #1] stated that she was notified by a lifeguard at the swimming pool inside the YMCA ([WITNESS #2]) that a child [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was being touched inappropriately by an adult (William Smith Jr).
I made contact with [WITNESS #2]. [WITNESS #2] stated that Smith offered to play with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] while his ([REDACTED BY AGENCY]) mother ([WITNESS #3]) was in her aquatics/water aerobics class. [WITNESS #2] stated that he saw Smith “touch” [REDACTED BY AGENCY] on his butt while they were in the water. [WITNESS #2] started that Smith placed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] on his [Smith] lap. [WITNESS #2] stated that Smith started touching [REDACTED BY AGENCY] “front area.”
[WITNESS #2] stated that Smith was getting out of the pool “every five minutes to go to the restroom” then returned to the pool to start swimming again. [WITNESS #2] stated that [WITNESS #3] saw him ([WITNESS #2]) “looking at her crazy.” [WITNESS #2] stated that he was trying to get [WITNESS #3]’s attention so that she could turn around and see Smith’s interaction with [REDACTED BY AGENCY].
I made contact with [WITNESS #3]. [WITNESS #3] stated that she asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if Smith touched his ([REDACTED BY AGENCY]} pe*is. [WITNESS #3] stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] said Smith did touch his pe*is. [WITNESS #3] stated that she talked to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] about “good touch and bad touch.”
[WITNESS #3] stated that she told [REDACTED BY AGENCY] that no one should touch his pe*is. [WITNESS #3] stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] then said Smith is his ([REDACTED BY AGENCY]) friend and Smith did not touch him ([REDACTED BY AGENCY]). I made contact with [REDACTED]. [REDACTED] granted myself access to review camera footage.
I observed a woman wearing a pink cap ([WITNESS #3]) taking part of a class in the pool at the YMCA. I observed a small child ([REDACTED BY AGENCY]) and a white male (Smith) behind [WITNESS #3]. I observed Smith interact with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] throughout the duration of the class [WITNESS #3] was involved in. I observed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in Smith’s possession as they “played.”
I was unable to tell if Smith touched [REDACTED BY AGENCY] inappropriately due to the water in the pool, as well as the angle of the camera. I observed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] take Smith to a corner of the pool, where they disappeared from the view of the camera. Surveillance footage was given to myself by [REDACTED] and will be logged into evidence locker #02.
I made contact with Smith at the intersection of W Lincoln Ave and Valencia Ave. Smith was placed in handcuffs (double-locked) to the rear. Smith was searched for weapons and contraband. Smith did not possess any weapons or contraband. Smith was placed into the rear of my patrol vehicle. Smith was transported to 201 W Oglethorpe Blvd (Law Enforcement Center) to be interviewed.
Lt. Taylor was notified and responded to the scene. Witness statements were written by [WITNESS #3] and [WITNESS #2]. [WITNESS #1] provided myself an additional witness statement from [WITNESS #2] and documentation from the YMCA. These documents will also be logged into evidence locker #02.
This case has been turned over to Inv. Battle.
[End of Narrative]