CULLMAN – Allegations of rape, sodomy, and enticing a child under the age of 16 lands a Fairview volunteer basketball coach in Cullman County Detention Center.
“We received information yesterday (Tuesday) from Fairview School through one of our school resource officers, that we had a minor under the age of 16 where there was abuse, sexual intercourse with an individual named Spencer Jackson Byrd, 21 years of age,” Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry said.
Sheriff Gentry said Byrd had been a volunteer for the boys’ basketball team this season.
“Throughout the investigation the school resource officer contacted our investigator, coordinating and working with the child advocacy center and Department of Human Resources and we were able to obtain enough probable cause to make an arrest on Spencer Jackson Byrd on Rape-2nd, Sodomy-2nd, and Enticing a Child,” Sheriff Gentry said.
Byrd has already bonded out of the Cullman County Detention Center on a $90,000 bond. Gentry said more charges could follow.
“We are working with the District Attorney’s office and there could be potentially more charges coming down on Mr. Byrd,” he said.
Gentry said Byrd did come to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office on his own accord after being asked to come speak with investigators.
“He was arrested here at the Sheriff’s Office. He came in on his own,” he said. “I would like to thank the school resource officer, our investigators, everyone at DHR and the Child Advocacy Center for working quickly and together on this case.”
Cullman County School Superintendent Dr. Craig Ross stated, “Dr. Payne and Dr. Gambrill handled the situation quickly and professionally. Mr. Byrd's work with us has been suspended while the authorities look into these matters."
