School presentation in DeKalb County, Ala., triggers report of child sexual abuse

Feb. 18--A 31-year-old Crossville, Alabama, man is free on bond after being charged by authorities in DeKalb County with the alleged sexual abuse of a child triggered by a report from a student who was attending an abuse presentation at school.

Russell Banks, arrested Feb. 14, faces a charge of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old, according to a statement issued by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.

An investigation began after the sheriff's office was contacted by Crossville Middle School officials following a report of the allegations by a student, sheriff's office spokesman Tyler Pruett said in the statement.

"The students had just attended a sexual abuse prevention presentation by the Family Services of North Alabama," Pruett said. "After the presentation, a student came forward to report inappropriate behavior by a family member."

During the ensuing investigation, Banks was identified as the suspect and interviewed, followed by his arrest, according to officials.

Banks was released Monday from the DeKalb County Jail on a $20,000 bond, jail records show.

"This is a great job by our investigative team in quickly resolving this case," Sheriff Nick Welden said in the statement. "Our utmost priority will always be protecting the children of our county."

Welden also thanked the Family Services of North Alabama agency for their part in the investigation.

"Having organizations like them active in our schools is a great resource for our investigators and crucial for protecting our children," Welden said. "If it wasn't for educating our young people, some might not realize that this behavior is not OK. This gives us the opportunity to stop it before it turns into something worse."

DeKalb County Sessions Court officials said Banks doesn't have an attorney on record yet and no court date has been set. He likely will have an initial court appearance in the case this week, officials said.

Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.

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