(Marietta, GA – May 23, 2023) Cobb County District Attorney Flynn D. Broady, Jr. announces that Robert New (51) has pled guilty to one count of aggravated assault and one count of cruelty to children in the first degree. During a non-negotiated sentencing hearing, Superior Court Judge James G. Bodiford sentenced New to six years to serve in prison followed by 14 years on probation under the first offender act.

On June 18, 2018, Cobb County Police received information from a good Samaritan about a woman who had disclosed that she had been choked and assaulted by a male partner during intercourse. The good Samaritan, who learned that the victim had cognitive disabilities, was concerned about the disclosure and reported the abuse to law enforcement. Through the investigation, police learned that the victim had suffered a traumatic brain injury at a young age that affected into adulthood. After an interview with the victim, police learned that she had met a man named Robert New on a dating site. They met and began a relationship. New was employed as a Cobb County Police Officer at the time with 27 years of experience. During one sexual encounter, the victim stated that New became violent during sex and choked her to the point of her not being able to breathe. This occurred in the man’s home located in Kennesaw, Georgia in May of 2018. It was also determined during the victim’s interview that New had attempted to have the victim bring her juvenile niece and involve her in their sexual activity. This was later confirmed during a forensic analysis of New’s phone. After interviewing New, police arrested him.

Superior Court Judge Kellie S. Hill accepted the guilty plea on April 4, 2023. Lindsay Raynor prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Georgia. Steve Cook represented New at the plea.

Please call 911 if you are in immediate danger. If you or anyone you know has experienced intimate partner violence, please contact the Georgia Crisis & Access line at 1-800-715-4225 or LiveSafe Resources 24/7 at 770-427-3390.