AUGUSTA, Ga. - A former Richmond County deputy is speaking out for the first time since he was accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl.

Lindon Haworth was just found not guilty of the charges.

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says Haworth, reciting Bible verses from Isaiah 54:17.

It’s a scripture he says helped him get through the past two years.

"It was a roller coaster ride that finally pulled into the station. I can start making plans to move on with my life," said Haworth.

The former Richmond County Sheriff's deputy and Iraq war veteran had to put his life on hold after he was arrested last year on child molestation charges. On Friday, a jury cleared him of those charges.

“You are going past the word 'happy'. It was almost unreal," said Haworth.

For the first time in two years, Haworth spoke exclusively with NBC Augusta 26 News to share his side of story.

He spoke about standing by the truth and whether there were times he wanted to give up.

“More than once, the last two years was harder than Iraq and did much more damage,” said Haworth.

After a week long trial, court documents revealed the 14-year-old girl who accused him had a history of making false accusations. In 2005, she accused Haworth of sexual overtones--claims, the teen says she made up to get herself out of trouble.

A year later, the teen also accused her teacher of physical abuse, which was found untrue. Now two years after being accused of molesting his next-door-neighbor Haworth sits as a free man, just a few feet from her home.

"Look at what they did to Jesus and he forgave them from the cross. And I'm going to hold a grudge. I can't do that,” said Haworth.

Many viewers have commented on our web site and have said you didn't understand why Sheriff Strength fired Haworth before the trial. 26 News spoke with Sheriff Strength. He says Haworth’s termination was based on the indictment by a grand jury.

Haworth he has no hard feeling against the Sheriff's Office. He tells us he's still trying to figure out what he we wants to do, but hasn’t ruled out coming back work with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

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