A corrections officer with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office was charged with sexual battery this weekend after a woman alleged he assaulted her on a dance floor.
Chattanooga police received a call around 2 a.m. Saturday and responded to the Palms Club at 6925 Shallowford Road. The victim said while she was dancing, Jerry Melbert approached her and then stuck his hand into her blouse.A Hamilton County jailer was booked into same lockup he normally guards after being accused of molesting a woman on a dance floor, according to Chattanooga police.
Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Jerry Melbert, 42, of Chattanooga, faces charges of sexual battery and assault after he allegedly pulled up the zipper on the woman’s blouse and placed his finger in the woman’s cleavage at The Palms, located at 6925 Shallowford Road.
The woman, who did not know Melbert, was at the club with her husband, who stepped in after Melbert’s actions, according to the arrest report.
Melbert fled the scene and someone recorded his license plate number. Chattanooga police reviewed surveillance footage from the club before issuing a warrant for Melbert’s arrest.
Sheriff Jim Hammond said an internal affairs investigation will be conducted. Melbert will be placed on paid leave until his first court date, which is set for Aug. 17, according to court records.