Full Notification

(Etowah County, Alabama) An Etowah County man is in custody for sexual abuse and sodomy, according to Sheriff Todd Entrekin.

“Roy Dean Pruett, 61, of Gadsden, is charged with two counts of first degree sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old and two counts of first degree sodomy, all are felonies,” says Chief Investigator Michael Jones.

Pruett was taken into custody this afternoon when warrants were obtained for his arrest. He allegedly has been sexually abusing two children in Etowah County.

“This is a terrible crime involving innocent children and reports of this type are becoming too common.” Sheriff Todd Entrekin continues, “These children are brave, they came forward to help us put this predator behind bars. A special thanks is due to the James M. Barrie Center for their investigative help.”

The investigation is ongoing; however, evidence shows the abuse has been taking place since approximately November 1, 2012. Etowah County DHR also assisted with the investigation.

“I appreciate the hard work the Sheriff's investigators put into this case,” says Etowah County District Attorney Jimmie Harp. “Cases of this nature are particularly disturbing. The victimization of a child is something that we, as a community, cannot tolerate and we intend to see that those who would prey on children are brought to justice.”

Pruett is being detained in the Etowah County Detention Center on a $300,000 cash bond.

Additional information is not available at this time.
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