Bernett Collins: Officer accused of molestation denies all charges

An Atlanta police officer who is charged with child molestation and enticement of a minor says there is no evidence against him. He also says the Fulton County District Attoey should bring the case to trial or drop the charges.

"I still haven't been indicted. It's been going on two years. No evidence has been tued over. And the evidence they did tu over shows nothing," said officer Beett Collins.

Collins, who is on unpaid administrative leave, is speaking publicly for the first time since his arrest on May 3, 2010. He told GA Daily News reporter Tom Regan that the case against him has been fabricated by investigators in another unit who were aiming for a promotion. He said the alleged victim, a 14-year-old girl, falsely accused him of sending her sexually charged text messages and groping her.

"She's making it up and the investigator and his sergeant are also making it up," said Collins.

The officer said he met the girl while responding to a domestic violence call at her home. He said he gave his personal phone number to her and her father and said to call if they needed help in the future. Collins believes the girl made the allegations for attention.

"I don't believe she thought this was going to tu into something serious. But at the same time, they (the investigating officers) took it out of her hands and made in into their personal trophy case," said Collins.

The arrest warrant against the officer alleges hundreds of pages of incriminating text messages on files subpoenaed from Verizon. But Collins received a statement from Verizon showing he cancelled his cell phone service three years earlier.

"I got paper work from Verizon saying I didn't have service with them since May of 2007. So how do you get 495 pages from a company I don't have service with?" said Collins.

Collins also denied claims from investigators that he confessed during an interview. He said his attoey has made numerous requests to see evidence from police and the district attoey's office, but has been denied.

"My lawyer hasn't seen any witness statements," said Collins.

The officer cannot work in another job until the case is resolved. He said he and his wife have racked up tens of thousands of dollars in legal and medical bills after losing his insurance. He said after getting out of jail on bond in 2010, he was forbidden from seeing his young daughter for a year and a half.

"I missed out on her whole preschool experience because I couldn’t have contact with her." said Collins.

His wife said she supports her husband.

"I'm not sure what their motive is, but these are people's lives that they are messing with." said Chenique Collins.

Collins said he will refuse any plea bargain to a reduced charge because he did nothing wrong.

"I want my life back. I want this brought to an end," said Collins.

An Atlanta Police spokesman said Collins will have the opportunity to present his case in court. 

District Attoey Paul Howard said his office is working diligently to corroborate the allegations. He said the investigation will be completed within 30 days.