CULLMAN – On Tuesday morning, as jury selection was supposed to be getting underway, former Cullman County Commission Chairman James Graves prevented a trial by pleading guilty to sexual abuse in exchange for probation. According to sources in the Courthouse, Graves admitted to teaching a minor to masturbate.
Graves was arrested on May 10, 2017, for the sexual abuse of a minor. A statement issued by the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) at that time said the victim came forward after the last incident took place, in which the suspect forced the victim to perform a sexual act.
When Graves was interviewed by investigators, he allegedly confirmed the allegations were true. The CCSO said that following that interview, “there was no doubt a sexual crime had been committed by the suspect.” Despite that, Graves initially entered a plea of Not Guilty.
Graves was also later arrested on a separate charge of Witness Tampering.
He later changed his plea in the abuse case to Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect, but just last Friday changed the plea back to Not Guilty.
Under Alabama law, Graves will be required to register as a sex offender.
