Sexual abuse suspect in 2006 case arrested

FLORENCE - A local man wanted since a 2006 indictment on sex abuse charges has been arrested and is in the Lauderdale County Detention Center.

Grady Lee Morrison, 43, was picked up in Chalmette, La., on Monday and returned to Florence.

Courthouse officials said Morrison was indicted on first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree sexual abuse charges.

First-degree sexual abuse is a Class C felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison if convicted. Second-degree sexual abuse is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to a year in prison. Reports indicate that Morrison, who formerly lived at 536 Cypress Mill Road, Florence, was indicted in August 2006 after an incident was reported to police in late December 2005.

Investigators said Morrison is accused of inappropriately touching a 12-year-old girl, who was an acquaintance.

Police said the girl accused Morrison of touching her inappropriately despite her requests to him to stop. Investigators said the child didn't come forward immediately because Morrison had threatened to harm her if she told.

Florence police detective Suzanna Taylor said she was given the case Dec. 31, 2005, after the child told a friend what had happened, and the friend told an adult, who contacted authorities.

The case was presented to a grand jury, and before Morrison could be arrested on the indictments, he left the area, authorities said.

He is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center on bail of $35,000; however, he has a hold placed on him by Florence police.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.