Attorney General (AG) Steve Marshall announced the arrest Thursday of Michael Eugene Hearing, 54, of Tuscaloosa, for multiple sex offenses that took place 20 years ago.
Hearing surrendered to authorities and was booked into the Hale County Jail. He was later released on a $100,000 bond.
Marshall’s Criminal Trials Division presented evidence to a Hale County grand jury, resulting in Hearing’s indictment on April 26, 2022. Specifically, the indictment charges him with one count of first degree rape, one count of first degree sodomy, and one count of incest.
According to court documents, the charges state the crimes occurred in Hale County approximately 20 years ago and were recently investigated by the AG’s Criminal Investigations Division.
No further information about the investigation or about the defendant’s alleged crimes may be released at this time.
If convicted of first degree rape or sodomy—both Class A felonies—Hearing faces a maximum penalty of 10 to 99 years, or life in prison, and a maximum fine of $60,000 for each of the two counts. If convicted of incest —which is a Class C felony—he faces a maximum penalty of one year and one day to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000.
Assistant Attorneys General Michele Davidson and Jillian Jordan Evans will act as counsel for the State.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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