Man charged with sexually assaulting 4-year-old Athens girl

By Joe Johnson

A Gwinnett County man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl in Athens last year.

David Lee Griffin, 28, of Lawrenceville was arrested Thursday on charges of child molestation, aggravated child molestation, and aggravated sexual battery.

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department was withholding the report of the alleged assault due to the victim's age.

However, ACCPD Public Information Officer Lt. Shaun Barnett said the incident allegedly occurred in August 2021, when Griffin was believed to be living in Athens. He would not disclose the relationship between Griffin and the girl, except to say they were known to each other.

An investigation began after a woman brought her child to the hospital because the girl told her about inappropriate touching by Griffin, Barnett said.

It was subsequently determined that the child “had injuries to her vagina consistent with an assault,” according to Barnett, who added that “as a result of the investigation, detectives determined that Griffin used his hand to sexually assault the victim.”

Warrants for Griffin’s arrest were issued in September, the officer said, and they were served by Athens-Clarke County sheriff's deputies.

Griffin was being detained at the county jail, with no bail being set.