Two charged in child sex abuse case

A nine-day investigation by the Andalusia Police Department has led to the arrest of a local man and his former wife on multiple felony charges related to child sex abuse.

Sgt. Al McGraw said the APD received a report on June 5 of a suspect who was possibly sexually abusing a 9-year-old child in his neighborhood. The APD received the report at 4:30 p.m., and an investigation began immediately.

Based on information the victim gave during a forensic interview with the Child Advocacy Center that evening, the APD was able to get a search warrant for the suspect’s house.

Based on the child’s interview, information obtained in the execution of the search warrant, and subsequent interviews, Carmen Ray Ammons, 64, of Andalusia, and his former wife, Shelby Marie Rushing of Samson, are facing multiple charges in the ongoing investigation.

Ammons is charged with two counts of possession of child pornography; one count of sodomy second, and one count of sexual abuse of a child less than 12. He is being held in the Covington County Jail on a $300,000 bond.

Rushing, who confessed to her participation in the crimes, is charged with production of obscene matter containing visual depiction of a person under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts, and sodomy in the second degree. She is being held in the Covington County Jail on a $400,000 bond.

McGraw expressed his appreciation to both the Covington County Child Advocacy Center and the Department of Human Resources for their swift actions to complete the forensic interview and protect the victim.

“This investigation is ongoing, and we expect there will be additional charges,” McGraw said.

Anyone with information that might assist in the investigation is asked to contact Sgt. McGraw at 334-222-1155, or call Central Alabama Crime Stoppers’ tip line at 334-215-STOP.

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