• By Ashleigh Sloop
• Posted Monday, August 15, 2011

July Civilian Staff Member of the Month

In January 2011, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into allegations of sexual assault against a child. The parties involved with this investigation were Hispanic and did not speak English. Communication was very difficult with the parties involved to conduct an adequate investigation given the language barrier. Investigators requested the assistance of Olga “Gigi” Hernandez, who works in the Records Section and speaks fluent Spanish. Gigi was eager to assist with the investigation and her assistance went well beyond the scope of the initial request.

The female victim was hesitant to discuss allegations with investigators and Gigi was willing to communicate in private with the child. Gigi made multiple calls to the victim’s parents to inform them of the status of the investigation and provided them with dates and times of necessary appointments. Gigi also communicated with the victim’s mother and learned that, though there were no photographs of the offender, there was a home video that contained footage of the offender. Investigators were able to utilize the footage to corroborate other known information about the offender. On July 15, 2011 investigators obtained warrants for First Degree Statutory Sex Offense and Indecent Liberties with a Child. The investigation would have been brought to a successful conclusion without Gigi’s assistance. Gigi is an asset to the Office of the Sheriff and the Criminal Investigations Section is grateful for her help.