Sex abuse charges put man back in jail

A Russellville man has been indicted for engaging in a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl.

Kevin O’Nell Willis, 43, 158 McKay Road, Russellville, was indicted by the September Grad Jury on charges of second-degree rape, second-degree sexual abuse, second-degree sodomy and one other sexually-related charge.

According to authorities, family members of the girl contacted DHR in June to report inappropriate behavior between the girl and Willis.

After the girl was questioned, she admitted to the encounters with Willis that occurred a year earlier.

Willis was living with the girl’s family at the time, but he is not charged with forcing the girl into the relationship, officials said.

After the girl admitted to Willis’ involvement in the relationship, he was arrested and charged.

“During the time the offenses occurred, Willis was in the Franklin County Community Corrections program serving the remaining 14 months of his 15-year split sentence for unlawful possession of a controlled substance,” Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.

“After Willis was arrested on the new charges in June, a motion to revoke his probation was filed and Circuit Judge Terry Dempsey revoked him for the full fifteen years.”

Rushing said that Willis is currently serving this sentence in the Limestone Correctional Facility but will becoming back for court on the new charges.

Willis’ case is set for arraignment on Oct. 26.