Police: Man posed as officer before sexually assaulting woman in Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County police are searching for possible additional victims after investigators say a man pretended to be a police officer before robbing, restraining and sexually assaulting a woman.

Police identified the suspect as Xavier Anderson and say they do not believe the January attack was an isolated incident.

“We don’t believe this was an isolated incident at this time,” Cpl. Angela Carter with the Gwinnett County Police Department said.

Investigators say Anderson met the woman through sex work and targeted her at a motel on Breckinridge Boulevard around 5 a.m. on Jan. 4.

“Anderson did like to target sex workers,” Carter said.

According to investigators, Anderson posed as a law enforcement officer before pulling a gun on the woman, restraining her with zip ties, robbing her and sexually assaulting her.

“He’s not a police officer,” Carter said.

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Police believe Anderson’s decision to pose as an officer may have been an attempt to keep the woman from reporting what happened.

“I believe that he was doing it to try to scare and intimidate the victim from coming forward,” Carter said.

Investigators say Anderson has ties throughout metro Atlanta and worry there could be other victims who have not contacted police.

At the time of the alleged Gwinnett County attack, Anderson was already out on bond in a 2021 DeKalb County case in which he is accused of sexual battery against a child.

Gwinnett County police are now urging anyone who believes Anderson targeted them to come forward, regardless of their circumstances.

“No matter what your situation is in life, if you’re a sex worker, your immigration status, whatever, you are still a victim if something like this happens to you and you still deserve to get justice,” Carter said.

Police say anyone who reports being victimized will be treated with respect and taken seriously.

Investigators say potential victims targeted in Gwinnett County should contact Gwinnett police. Anyone who believes Anderson victimized them elsewhere should contact the law enforcement agency where the incident occurred.