Tharptown constable facing sex abuse charge

THARPTOWN – A local man who has served as Tharptown’s constable for over 20 years was arrested on sex abuse charges Thursday, officials said.
Ray Hill, 79, of Franklin 48, Russellville, was arrested on charges of first-degree sexual abuse.
According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, the sheriff’s office received a report on Tuesday that Hill allegedly forced a 17-year-old female to touch him inappropriately when he was on duty Monday.
Oliver said since Hill is a local public official, the case was forwarded to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation who began investigating the case Tuesday morning.
Oliver said ABI investigators had collected enough information to make the arrest on Thursday.
Hill has been released from custody on a $50,000 bond.