On Friday, October 20, 2023, the Cartersville Police Department was notified of a possible sexual assault of a Cartersville High School student by a Cartersville High School teacher. After a week-long joint investigation with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Cartersville Police Investigators along with Agents from the GBI arrested Mark Mathison of Cartersville, Georgia. Mr. Mathison was charged with Improper Sexual Contact by Employee (F), Sexual Exploitation of Children (F), and Obscene Telephone Contact (M). Mr. Mathison was lodged at the Bartow County jail pending a bond hearing. This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Criminal Investigative Division of the Cartersville Police Department at 770-387-5690.