An Ellabell man was arrested Jan. 1 by Bryan County Sheriff’s Office deputies after he allegedly sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl in November.

The man, Christopher Dale Crick, remains in Bryan County Jail. Crick is charged with aggravated child molestation, sodomy and statutory rape.

He was a Chatham County Police Department officer and was fired Monday by CCPD, according to a press release.

According to a BCSO report, the man confessed to having sex with the child twice in November.

Chatham authorities said they were told by BCSO of Crick’s arrest late Friday night, and by Saturday began termination procedures:  

“The Bryan County Sheriff’s Office notified CCPD supervisors of the arrest around 10 p.m. on Friday, January 1, 2021. Per CCPD policy, a member of CCPD Command Staff and a supervisor immediately responded and took possession of Crick’s service weapon, badge and patrol vehicle. Crick was placed on administrative leave. The next day, Saturday, January 2, 2021, CCPD Chief Jeff Hadley spoke with the lead Bryan County investigator on the case, and then began termination procedures against Crick. Crick was hired by CCPD on July 1, 2019 and had no previous department disciplinary actions or citizen complaints against him,” the report said.