Man charged with molesting child

By Staff
Melissa Cason
A Russellville man faces sodomy and sex abuse charges after being accused of molesting a five-year old boy.
Police Chief Chris Hargett said Roger Allen Willis, 25, of Summerfield Apartments in Russellville, was arrested Saturday and charged with three counts of first-degree sodomy and one count of first-degree sex abuse.
Sodomy is a Class A felony and is punishable by 10 years to life in prison if convicted, while sexual abuse is a Class C felony and carries the punishment of one to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Hargett said the charges stem from acts that occurred on June 10 when the victim's guardian entrusted Willis to take the boy swimming at the Regency Square Apartments in Russellville.
He said the incident was reported June 14.
"The victim is an acquaintance of the defendant and the acts occurred at the Regency Square Apartments swimming pool," Hargett said.
The Code of Alabama describes first-degree sodomy as engaging "in deviate sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion," or "engages in deviate sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 12 years old."
Willis remains in the Franklin County Detention Center pending a $5,000 bond.