Suspect’s boyfriend held without bond
RUSSELLVILLE — A 26-year-old Georgia man charged with dozens of counts ranging from sodomy to producing and disseminating child pornography will remain in jail after waiving his right to a hearing.
During an Aniah’s Law hearing on Wednesday, MichaelClintonChambers waived his right to the hearing. He will be held in the Franklin County Jail without bond as he awaits a preliminary hearing.
Chambers is charged with 11 counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12, 30 counts of producing child pornography, 30 counts of disseminating child pornography, one count of directing a child to engage in sexual intercourse, three counts of first-degree sodomy, and one count of enticing a child for immoral purposes.
Chambers is the boyfriend of 22-year-old Abigail Roberts, who was denied bond during her own Aniah’s Law hearing on April 16.
Roberts is facing at least 105 charges, including producing and disseminating child pornography and 11 counts of first-degree sexual abuse.
While Roberts did not waive her right to a hearing, which allowed for testimony from a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigator to be given in court, Chambers opted against a similar situation.
During Roberts’ hearing, an investigator provided graphic details of the charges against the 22-year-old, in which she claimed the victim — a 6-year-old girl — was “willing” to take nude photographs and perform sexual acts.
Roberts also allegedly told investigators she and Chambers were in the area for several weeks before making the acquaintance of the victim and her family.
Roberts claimed she was forced into taking the photos and videos of the child because she had received threats to “kill her.” She also claimed Chambers was involved with a gang and she would be harmed if she did not engage in the acts with the child.
Following her arrest, investigators seized and searched multiple electronic devices and found the alleged photos and videos.
Two weeks after Roberts’ hearing, an arrest warrant was issued for Chambers.
Sheriff’s investigators traveled to Randolph County, Alabama, where they worked with local law enforcement to track down Chambers.
He was eventually found in Carrollton, Georgia, and was extradited back to Franklin County, where he was booked into jail on April 23.
Franklin County District Judge Jamie Sumerel told Chambers in the event he is ever released from prison, he is to have absolutely no contact with minors.
A preliminary hearing for Chambers has been set for May 14, while Roberts’ hearing is scheduled for May 18.
