Grand jury indicts one on rape, sodomy

During the November Franklin County grand jury session, Russellville resident Walter Andrew Parsons, 33, was indicted on eight counts of rape and sodomy.

According to district attorney Joey Rushing, Parsons was indicted on two counts of rape first degree, two counts of sodomy first degree, two counts of rape second degree and two counts of sodomy second degree.

“It’s a very serious case. The victim is underage, and it’s an allegation of forcible compulsion,” Rushing said.

Forcible compulsion, Rushing explained, means the assault happened by force or the victim was asleep or unable to consent for some reason.

Parsons was arrested for the crime in June of this year. It allegedly happened at his residence on two different occasions with a girl who was a non-family acquaintance under the age of 16.

A witness came forward after seeing one of the alleged instances.

Rushing said the Department of Human Resources helped and conducted their own investigation into the case alongside the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

“They worked hard on this investigation, and DHR provided a big help,” Rushing said.

Parsons will appear in court for his arraignment Jan. 3, and Rushing said he is hopeful the case will land on the pre-trial docket for March.