Alabama: Women facing sex abuse charges could stand trial in ‘16

Four of the five women arrested in 2015 on sex abuse charges in Opp will likely stand trial later this year.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Grace Jeter said Monday that the charges against Mandi Brianna Harrison, Chelsea Calhoun, Kristina Burroughs and Ashley Nelson Hall are pending trial.

“I expect they will be on the trial docket late this year or early next year,” Jeter said.

A fifth woman, who was arrested in January 2015 – Tiffany Blair, pleaded guilty in November 2015 before her case was even heard by a Covington County grand jury.

Blair, 36, pleaded guilty to rape II and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Jeter said she was granted a split sentence of one-year, followed by probation for the balance.

She was initially charged with four counts of chemical endangerment, rape II and sodomy II.

Rape in the second degree is a Class B felony.

According to the district attorney’s office, the case was initiated after Blair admitted to friends he was involved in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy, who was a friend of her son.


Harrison

Harrison was arrested in February 2015 and charged with rape II and sodomy II.

The OPD investigation began when it was reported that a then-25-year-old female was having sexual contact with a child under the age of 16.

She was indicted by the November 2015 grand jury for both charges. Indicts allege she engaged in deviate sexual intercourse with a child under 16 but more than 12.

Calhoun was also arrested in February 2015 after it was reported that a then 20-year-old was reportedly having sexual contact with a minor child under 16.


calhoun

She was charged with rape II and was indicted by the November 2015 grand jury.

Grand jury indictments show Calhoun engaged in sexual intercourse with a male who was less than 16 but more than 12.

She was indicted for sodomy II and rape II.


Burroughs

Burroughs was arrested in late January 2015 and charged with rape II and sodomy II.

The OPD launched the investigation after it was reported that a 30-year-old female was having sexual contact with a minor under 16.

The November grand jury indicted her on rape II and sodomy II.

And in May 2015, an Opp High School teacher was arrested for allegedly having sexual relations with a student.


Nelson-Hall

Ashley Nelson Hall was indicted in December for being a school employee engaging in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student under age of 19 years.

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