Office of the Attorney General: A.G. KING ANNOUNCES CHILD MOLESTER CONVICTION

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

August 01, 2008

MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Troy King today announced the conviction of a Hartselle man for first-degree sexual abuse of two young girls, ages 11 and 2. Billy Ray Hopkins, 56, pleaded guilty late yesterday in Morgan County Circuit Court and was sentenced concurrently to two terms of 10 years, which was split for him to serve three years in prison with the balance on probation. In addition, Hopkins will be subject to the Community Notification Act and required to register as a criminal sex offender.

"The violation of a child is a vile and wicked crime that devastates its young and innocent victims with scars that never heal," said Attorney General King. "No sentence can undo the harm done by Billy Ray Hopkins, but it is my hope that by punishing him for his terrible deeds, we will bring justice to those he hurt."

Hopkins initially was arrested on a warrant by agents of the Attorney General's Office on September 19, 2007 and charged with first-degree sexual abuse of one young girl. The Attorney General's Office presented evidence to a grand jury, resulting in Hopkins' subsequent indictment in October of 2007. After the Attorney General's investigation found evidence of another young girl victim, that evidence was presented to the Morgan County grand jury on March 13, 2008, resulting in a second charge of first-degree sexual abuse.

Attorney General King commended Assistant Attorney General Joshua S. Bearden, the Attorney General's Investigations Division, the Morgan County Sheriff's Office, the Huntsville Police Department, and DNA Labs International for their professional and timely work.