Man indicted on sexual abuse, sodomy charges

RUSSELLVILLE - A former Franklin County resident has been indicted after he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman when she was a child.

Richard O'Neal Matthews, 58, 1901 Virginia Ave., Muscle Shoals, was indicted on charges of first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree sodomy, according to Franklin County court officials. The indictments were returned during the recent November grand jury session.

Authorities said an investigation into the case began in March after the woman, who is 24, reported the incidents to law enforcement officials.

Investigators said the woman reported the sexual attacks occurred when she was between the ages of 11 and 14 and was staying at Matthews' house.

At the time, Matthews was living on Sterling Drive, which is off Franklin 60 north of Russellville. Officials said Matthews later moved to Muscle Shoals.

The girl was a family acquaintance. Authorities said the woman reported Matthews sexually touched her and assaulted her.

Matthews was questioned and arrested March 25.

Selina Rachelle, victims' service coordinator for Rape Response, said it's not unusual for victims of sexual assault not to come forward until years after the attacks.

Statistics indicate 60 percent of sexual assaults are not reported, even though 73 percent of victims know their assailants, she said.

"A lot of times there is fear that (the victim) will not be believed," Rachelle said. "In most childhood assaults or batteries, it takes the victim years before they can come to terms with it and tell someone."

She said many times children don't want to get people in trouble.

"They know (the assault) shouldn't be happening, so they get confused and just don't say anything to anyone," Rachelle said.

First-degree sexual abuse is a Class C felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison. Second-degree sodomy is a Class B felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison.

Matthews was released on bail of $100,000.

Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said Matthews is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Jan. 9.

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