Lawrence man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of 9-year-old

MOULTON , Al.
A Lawrence County man who was charged with sexual abuse and sodomy of a 9-year-old girl and claimed the child took advantage of him while he was drunk pleaded guilty in circuit court Tuesday.

Ray

Alexander “Ray-Ray” Ray, 42, 758 Wallace St., Town Creek, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12 in Lawrence County Circuit Court, Town Creek Police Chief Jerry Garrett said.
Ray, who had three prior felony convictions on drug charges, was sentenced to 15 years in prison as a habitual offender after entering his plea, Garrett said.
Ray was arrested Aug. 14, 2010, and charged with first-degree sodomy and first-degree sexual abuse of a child under age 12.
“It was a lesser charge, but at least he admitted in court that he did attempt to abuse the child, who was 9 at the time,” Garrett said.
The chief said Ray will have to register as a sex offender.
Garrett said the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office discussed the case with the victim’s family before the plea.
“And I talked to them last week and they were OK with (the plea),” Garrett said. “They were just wanting him to be punished, which he is going to be.”
Town Creek police began an investigation into allegations after the girl told her mother Ray had abused her.
Ray denied the allegations and even told police the girl took advantage of him while he was drunk.
“He said he would wake up and she would be next to him and that she had taken advantage of him sexually,” Garrett said.
He said Ray knew the family, had spent a lot of time at their residence and would spend the night on occasion.
The chief said Ray at one point blamed the child’s mother for allowing her to come to his residence.
“He said the (girl) would just show up at this house for no reason,” Garrett said at the time of Ray’s arrest. “(Ray) said the girl’s mother shouldn’t have let (the child) come over to this house.”
Ray has been in the Lawrence County Jail on bail of $45,000 since his arrest.