Hokes Bluff law enforcement officer charged with aggravated chil

Etowah County officials say a former law enforcement officer has been charged with aggravated child abuse.

Jason Barry Raley, a 30-year-old Gadsden man, faces a felony charge of aggravated child abuse of a five-year-old boy. The abuse allegedly happened over a period of time in various parts of the Hokes Bluff area, according to the Etowah County Sheriff's Office.

Prior to the charges, Raley worked for the City of Hokes Bluff as a law enforcement officer and formerly served as a sheriff's deputy. Raley has been terminated from his job with the City of Hokes Bluff.

"Cases involving children are especially troubling to me. It has also been my policy and I will continue to protect those who can't protect themselves," Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin stated in a release.

"My message is very simple, whether you are a law enforcement officer or work in any other career field, if you hurt a child or break the law you will go to jail," Entrekin said.

U.S. Marshals assisted in Raley's arrest.

Raley is being held on a $100,000 bond in the Etowah County Detention Center. Officials say the investigation is on-going.

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