Monday update: Man charged with rape

By Staff
Melissa Cason
A Russellville man faces several counts of rape and sexual abuse charges after being accused of having sex with a child under the age of 12.
Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said Alvardo Gilberto, 33, of 100 Granny June Lot 8 in Russellville, was taken into custody Thursday afternoon and charged with three counts of first-degree rape and four counts of first-degree sexual abuse.
"The events had been taking place over a period of several years and were reported to our office on Thursday," Plott said.
He said the victim is a female under the age of 12 and the alleged act occurred in the county.
According to the Alabama Criminal Code, first-degree rape is a Class A felony, which carries a punishment of 10 years to life in prison for each count upon conviction and first-degree sexual assault is a Class C felony, which is punishable by one year and one day to 10 years in prison on each count upon conviction.
Plott said Gilberto has been placed in the Franklin County Detention Center and is awaiting a bond hearing.