Etowah County man charged with sexual abuse and child pornography; victim spoke up after seeing school presentation
GADSDEN, Ala. (WHNT-TV News) – The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office says a school presentation about sexual abuse resulted in a man being put in jail on child sex abuse and pornography charges.
Thomas Aaron Craig, 30, is charged in connection with sexual abuse and pornography with minors, according to Sheriff Todd Entrekin. Craig, of Gadsden, was arrested on Thursday, May 21. He is charged with one count of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of production of pornography with minors. All are felonies.
Investigators say Craig allegedly sexually abused a 9-year-old girl over a two-year period. The girl saw a presentation at school about what to do if you were being physically or sexually abused, and came forward to tell her teacher this type of thing was happening to her. The teacher notified the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office and Etowah County DHR.
Investigators say Craig gave consent for them to search his cell phone, and they found more than 35 pornographic photos. Craig is being held in the Etowah County Detention Center on $150,000 bond.
The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office thanks the James M. Barrie Center for helping in the investigation.
