FCSO arrests one for rape

A Russellville man is in the Franklin County Jail after investigators arrested him for allegedly raping a 14-year-old.

Tony Nathan Grissom, 30, of Russellville was arrested last week and charged with rape first degree after an incident at Pleasant Ridge Trailer Park on Highway 48 just outside the Russellville city limits.

According to Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigators, Grissom was at the home of Melinda McNatt, 51, of Russellville, and Amanda Byrd, 37, of Haleyville, and they as well as others were drinking in the presence of McNatt’s 14-year-old and 7-year-old nieces. Drug use was also allegedly taking place.

The 14-year-old victim was reportedly given alcohol and left alone with Grissom, after the other adults left the room and passed out.

Grissom allegedly began raping the victim, which her 7-year-old sister witnessed. FCSO investigators said the sister tried to wake and alert the other adults in the trailer but was unable to awake them, so she went next door for help. “She pretty much saved the day,” Sheriff Shannon Oliver said. A neighbor returned to the house with her, stopped the rape and called 9-1-1.

McNatt was also arrested and charged with possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Byrd was also arrested for endangering the welfare of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

FCSO investigators said the victim was treated at a hospital and, after follow-up by the Department of Human Resources, was released to go home to her parents.

Grissom and McNatt remain in custody, while Byrd has bonded out.