HAMILTON — Raymond Scott Harding, 39, of Winfield, was arrested at 11:20 a.m. on Friday morning, July 17, 2026, by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on two counts each of rape and sexual abuse.
He was released at 12:52 p.m. that same day on a $45,000 bond.
According to the official complaint, both charges are in the second degree and are type B felonies.
According to state law, “A person commits the crime of rape in the second degree if, being 16 years old or older, he or she engages in sexual intercourse with another person who is 12 years old or older, but less than 16 years old; provided, however, the actor is at least two years older than the other person.”
The compliant alleges that Harding had sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old relative on “multiple different occasions,” resulting in the rape charge. The complaint detailed other sexual acts Harding allegedly committed that resulted in the abuse charge.
Class B felonies in Alabama can be met with sentences between 2-20 years, although offenses involving a child require a minimum of at least 10 years.
A preliminary hearing has been set for Harding on Monday, Aug. 10, at 9 a.m. at the Marion County Courthouse in Hamilton.
*When a defendant is charged with a crime, the charge is merely an accusation until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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