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Name:
Kowalski, Nicholas Thomas
Date of Booking:
02/22/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED CHILD MOLESTATION
CHILD MOLESTATION
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 1ST DEGREE
ENTICING A CHILD FOR INDECENT PURPOSES
SODOMY – FELONY
Article:
Man charged with molestation, sodomy after missing child found inside same motel room — Featured
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.]
On Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 at approximately 0607 hours, Deputy M. A. FLIPPEN and Deputy J. A. MORSE, with the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division, was dispatched to the Budget Inn Room [REDACTED], 1442 U.S. Highway 41 North, Calhoun, Gordon County, Georgia, in reference to a missing juvenile from Gilmer County, juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] age 15, and possibly being at this location with a 29 year old male NICHOLAS THOMAS KOWALSKI.
Gordon 911 advised Deputy FLIPPEN to call into conference. Deputy FLIPPEN was advised by Gordon 911 that Detective FARNHAM with the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office was the complainant on this call and stated that Mr. KOWALSKI had picked up juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in Gilmer County and had took her to the Budget Inn. Gordon 911 advised that Detective FARNHAM has made contact with Mr. KOWALSKI by phone, and confirmed that they are at the Budget Inn. Detective FARNHAM wants to be notified if the subjects are located.
Deputy FLIPPEN, Deputy MORSE, and Deputy J. R. ANDERSON arrived on scene at the Budget Inn at approximately 0622 hours. Upon arrival juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] walked out of room [REDACTED] and walked to Deputy MORSE’S patrol car. Deputy FLIPPEN advised juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to stand by with Deputy ANDERSON. Deputy FLIPPEN and Deputy MORSE went to room [REDACTED] and saw the door was cracked open and noticed a male subject and a dog at the door. Deputy FLIPPEN asked the male subject, later identified as Mr. KOWALSKI, to step outside.
Deputy FLIPPEN asked Mr. KOWALSKI how does he know juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Mr. KOWALSKI stated they met each other on a dating app, and have been talking for a couple of weeks now. Mr. KOWALSKI stated that he went to go get juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] last night and they almost got ran off the road, but he didn’t know who it was. Mr. KOWALSKI stated that they came back to the Budget Inn and ended up cuddling and passing out. Mr. KOWALSKI stated that he was told this morning the man who ran them off the road was juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY]’S father.
Deputy FLIPPEN asked Mr. KOWALSKI if he knows how old juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] is. Mr. KOWALSKI stated, “No I do not, I was told that she was 18”. Deputy FLIPPEN informed Mr. KOWALSKI that juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] is 15. Mr. KOWALSKI stated, “Well I’m glad we didn’t go very far, we only kissed and cuddled”. Mr. KOWALSKI stated that no clothes were off and nothing sexual happened, and we could even ask juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] . Mr. KOWALSKI stated that they did talk about doing that tomorrow to be honest, but I had no clue she was under 18. Mr. KOWALSKI stated that he has been told for two weeks that juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] is 18.
Deputy FLIPPEN asked Mr. KOWALSKI where did he pick up juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Mr. KOWALSKI stated that he went to go pick up juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] at her house last night. Deputy FLIPPEN asked Mr. KOWALSKI where that was. Mr. KOWALSKI stated that it is in Elijay. Deputy FLIPPEN asked Mr. KOWALSKI if he brought juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] back here. Mr. KOWALSKI stated yes I found her walking on the side of the road by the time he got there. Mr. KOWALSKI stated that he picked her up, got her off the road, and was trying to figure out what was going on. Mr. KOWALSKI stated that before he could figure out why juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was on the road, someone tried to run them off the road. Mr. KOWALSKI stated that he got out of there real quick and brought juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] somewhere safe.
Deputy FLIPPEN walked over to juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and spoke with her. Deputy ANDERSON advised Deputy FLIPPEN that juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had told him that Mr. KOWALSKI had lied to us and that she thinks Mr. KOWALSKI is very dangerous. Deputy ANDERSON stated that juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] did not want to say anything until she was in a patrol car.
Deputy FLIPPEN spoke with juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and asked where did Mr. KOWALSKI pick her up at. Juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated on my road in Elijay and said her address. Deputy FLIPPEN asked juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] why did they come to the Budget Inn. Juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] advised that it was Mr. KOWALSKI’S idea. Deputy FLIPPEN asked juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] how long she had been talking with Mr. KOWALSKI, and she stated about a month. Deputy FLIPPEN asked juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if Mr. KOWALSKI knows how old she. Juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY]’S stated yes and that she is 15 years old.
Deputy FLIPPEN asked Juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] if Mr. KOWALSKI had forced her into anything tonight. Juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] shook her head yes and made a fist with her left hand and put her right index finger into the hole of her fist, to say that Mr. KOWALSKI had sexual intercourse with her. Deputy FLIPPEN did not ask juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] anymore questions. Juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY]’S information was ran through Gordon 911 and they advised that juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] is a missing person from Gilmer County on GCIC. Juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was placed in the back of Deputy FLIPPEN’S patrol car.
Deputy FLIPPEN detained Mr. KOWALSKI in handcuffs and placed him in the back of Deputy MORSE’S patrol vehicle. Deputy MORSE spoke with Detective FARNHAM and advised him that juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had been located. Detective FARNHAM advised that juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] mother noticed her acting strange at 2200 hours last night, and kept checking if her mother had fell asleep. Detective FARMHAM stated that 0210 hours this date juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] mother stated that she woke up to a door closing and could not find juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Detective FARMHAM stated that juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] father located a silver vehicle on their road and gave chase to it but lost visual. Detective FARMHAM stated that juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY]’S father was able to get a tag number from Mr. KOWALSKI’S vehicle. Detective FARMHAM stated that another incident had happened last year involving juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and another 42 year old male.
Deputy FLIPPEN contacted Sgt. R.C. GARCIA about the incident, Sgt. GARCIA advised that Gordon County Sheriff’s Office Detective C.A. CHILDERS was en route. Sgt. GARCIA arrived on scene and advised to go ahead and get juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] parents en route because of the drive time it would take them to get here. Detective CHILDERS arrived on scene and the investigation was turned over to him. Detective CHILDERS advised Deputy MORSE to transport Mr. KOWLASKI to the Gordon County Jail, and to retrieve his cell phone. Deputy MORSE transported Mr. KOWALSKI to the Gordon County Jail, where custody was exchanged with the jail staff. Deputy MORSE took Mr. KOWALSKI’S cell phone and vape pen as evidence and completed a property receipt on the items.
Deputy MORSE returned to the Budget Inn and turned the property over to Detective CHILDERS. Juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] parents [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] later arrived on scene at the Budget Inn, where custody of juvenile [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was turned over to them. When [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stepped out of the car she had some blood on her legs. [REDACTED BY AGENCY]’S mother asked her what that was from, and she stated that she had picked a scab on her leg. Gordon County animal control later arrived on scene to retrieve the dog inside room [REDACTED]. Deputy FLIPPEN later went back in service. Deputy FLIPPEN did a DFCS referral on this incident.
[End of Narrative]
The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
6/2/25
STATE’S DISCOVERY
What this means: The process in a criminal case where the prosecution (state) provides the defense with evidence and information that will be used at trial.
7/11/25
STATE’S DISCOVERY
What this means: The process in a criminal case where the prosecution (state) provides the defense with evidence and information that will be used at trial.
7/23/25
DEFENSE MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE
What this means: Is a request by the defense asking the court to postpone or delay a court date or trial. The defense usually requests this to have more time to prepare, review evidence, or address other legal or scheduling issues. If the judge grants the motion, the case is rescheduled to a later date.
9/29/25
DEFENSE MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE
What this means: Is a request by the defense asking the court to postpone or delay a court date or trial. The defense usually requests this to have more time to prepare, review evidence, or address other legal or scheduling issues. If the judge grants the motion, the case is rescheduled to a later date.
1/28/26
MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE FILED BY DEFENSE COUNSEL
What this means: The defense attorney asked the court to postpone the upcoming trial date. The case was scheduled to go to trial on February 9, 2026, but the defense says they are still gathering and reviewing evidence (called “discovery”) from the prosecution. They are requesting more time to properly prepare before going to trial.
4/2/26
STATE FILES NOTICE OF INTENT TO PRESENT CHILD HEARSAY AT TRIAL
What this means: The prosecution in Nicholas Kowalski’s case filed a formal notice with the Gordon County Superior Court stating their intention to present child hearsay statements during the trial. This is a procedural step that gives the defense advance warning that the state plans to use out-of-court statements made by a child as evidence. The notice allows Kowalski’s defense team time to prepare objections or challenges to the admissibility of these statements before trial begins.