Grand jury indicts man on sex abuse charges

A Phil Campbell man has been indicted on numerous sexually-related charges for abuse that occurred over a two-year span.

Michael Lingelbach, 43, 9165 Highway 81, Phil Campbell, was indicted for first-degree sodomy, attempted first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, and three counts of attempted first-degree sodomy.

According to authorities, the defendant is charged with forcefully fondling the victim on numerous occasions between 2008 and 2010.

The abuse was reported to authorities in June of 2010.

The victim was between the ages of 15 and 17 when the abuse occurred, officials said.

“The victim’s age would normally have warranted a charge of second-degree sexual abuse, but because the abuse was forceful, the charge was made first-degree sexual abuse,” Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.

Rushing added that Lingelbach’s case will be set for arraignment Oct. 26 and the case is scheduled for the trial docket the first week in December.