Former Northport police officer charged with sexual abuse of a child

Posted: Jul 6, 2015 / 04:57 PM CDT

Updated: Jul 6, 2015 / 04:57 PM CDT

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — Former Northport Police officer Roy Thomas Crowder, 66, and son Jeremy Thomas Crowder, 31, were arrested in connection with an investigation involving sexual abuse and sodomy of a child according to Sgt. Alex Miles with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

The sexual abuse and sodomy allegedly occurred over a period of at least a decade according to Miles.

The arrests took place late last month, shortly after the victim came forward with the accusations.

Roy Crowder was arrested on June 25, and charged with two counts of sodomy in the 1st degree and sexual abuse of a child less than 12. His bond was set at $150,000.

Jeremy Crowder was arrested on June 29, and charged with two counts of sodomy in the 2nd degree, with $66,000 in total bond.

According to court documents, Jeremy Crowder lived with the victim’s family between January and April of 2014. During that time, the victim said Crowder forced her to give and receive oral sex. The relationship between Roy Crowder and the victim is unclear.

Roy Crowder retired as a police officer years ago, but he was working as a civilian at the front desk part-time. Northport PD let him go when they found out about the allegations against him.

“It hurts that a brother officer allegedly did these things, and what we’re trying to build here at Northport police department — building trust with the community and giving the kids a new respect for law enforcement — just very bad,” said Lt. Chris Stewart with the Northport Police Department, who worked with Roy Crowder for more than 20 years and described him as a “very good officer.”

Both men are out on bond. The investigation is ongoing.