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Written by: A. Smith
Published August 25, 2025 @ 7:15 PM ET
Update: A former division director at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a teenage girl.
Samuel “Ray” Ham, 59, of Loganville, entered guilty pleas Monday to four counts of child molestation, three counts of aggravated sexual battery, and one count of grooming a minor for a sexual offense, Walton County District Attorney Randy McGinley announced Wednesday.
Ham will serve 20 years behind bars without the possibility of parole, followed by life on probation.
Prosecutors said Ham was arrested on April 13, shortly after the abuse was reported to law enforcement. He was fired from his role as director of the Georgia Police Academy, which operates under the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, following his arrest.
McGinley said the victim and her family supported the sentence, calling it “an appropriate outcome for the criminal case.” Several supporters of the victim attended Monday’s plea hearing, where victim impact statements were read.
“The hard work of law enforcement and the prosecution team led to the defendant pleading guilty very early in the court process,” McGinley said in a statement. “I commend their dedication, but nothing is as inspiring as the strength the victim, the family, and the supporters have shown over the last four plus months.”
McGinley also noted the breach of trust caused by Ham’s actions.
“It cannot be ignored that Ham is a former longtime law enforcement officer, at times in high-level positions,” McGinley said. “And those in law enforcement are in a position of trust in our communities, especially when it comes to protecting children. This defendant betrayed that trust and betrayed all those that he has worked with over the years. But to be clear, this betrayal pales in comparison with how his actions betrayed those he directly harmed.”
WALTON COUNTY, Ga. – A former high-ranking official at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center has been arrested and charged in connection with allegations of child sexual abuse involving a teenage girl.
Samuel Ray Ham, 59, faces charges of child molestation and aggravated sexual battery, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Arrest warrants identify the alleged victim as a 14-year-old girl from Loganville.
Ham previously served as division director of the Georgia Police Academy, a role under the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC). He was fired from his position following his arrest, according to GPSTC officials.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has launched an inquiry into the case. Additionally, the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council — the body responsible for overseeing law enforcement certification — has been notified of Ham’s arrest and could take further action regarding his law enforcement credentials.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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