District Attorney Summer Summerford announced today that Gary Hart of Fort Payne was found guilty on Friday, August 16, 2024, by a DeKalb County jury for two (2) counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child under 12 Years of Age after a week long trial.
Jury selection began on Monday, August 12th. On Friday afternoon, the jury returned GUILTY verdicts for both charges. A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date in the court room of Circuit Judge Andrew Hairston. Hart was immediately taken into custody and will be held in the DeKalb County Detention Center pending a sentencing hearing.
During the trial, the State produced evidence that Hart sexually abused the victims, both of whom were under 12 years of age at the time. The conviction occurred after an extensive investigation involving the Fort Payne Police Department, the DeKalb County Department of Human Resources, the DeKalb County Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Jackson County Children’s Advocacy Center.
“Children who are vulnerable deserve to be loved and protected, not taken advantage of by those who should be caring for them. The victims in this case stood up for themselves and are the real heroes. Their testimony helped make sure that this predator can no longer harm other children. Please keep them, and their families, in your thoughts and prayers,” stated Summerford. This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Stanna Guice and Matt Green.
