Police Officer Charged with Child Sex Abuse

Screengrab of Timothy Gavin not a Character from Lost

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama – The Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit held a press conference Friday, August 1, to announce the arrest of Orange Beach Police Officer Timothy Gavin for sex abuse of a child under the age of 12.

Officials say they arrested former officer Timothy Gavin Friday morning right after Gavin resigned. Gavin had been an officer at the Orange Beach Police Department since 2005. He joined the Baldwin County Drug Task Force in March of 2014.

Baldwin County Sheriff Huey Hoss Mack said the alleged crime happened three to four years ago, but a family member brought it to their attention three days ago.

“I think the most bothersome thing is that we’ve got a  young victim. That’s what is the most bothersome. The fact that we’ve got a young child that’s been victimized by law enforcement, an officer, anybody. Of course we’re disappointed,” he said. “I’m disappointed.”

Gavin’s bond hearing will be Monday, August 4. Sexual abuse of a child under 12 years of age is a class B felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison for a first time offense.