From The Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY — A Tuscaloosa man was arrested on Thursday, May 12, for multiple sex offenses.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Michael Eugene Hearing, 54, surrendered to authorities and was booked into the Hale County Jail. He was later released on a $100,000 bond.
Attorney General Steve Marshall states evidence presented to a Hale County grand jury resulted in Hearing’s indictment on April 26, 2022. The indictment charges him with one count of first-degree rape, one count of first-degree sodomy, and one count of incest. The alleged crimes occurred in Hale County approximately 20 years ago and were recently investigated by the Attorney General’s Office 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.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
