State Trooper arrested for rape, sodomy

Published 7:43 pm Tuesday, December 8, 2015

An Alabama State Trooper and Crenshaw County resident was arrested Tuesday.

Samuel H. McHenry II, 36, of Rutledge, was taken into custody by agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation and charged with one count of rape, first degree, and one count of sodomy.

McHenry is being held in the Butler County Correctional Facility.

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“Upon notification by local law enforcement, SBI agents immediately responded and began a criminal investigation related to serious allegations of criminal activity of a Trooper while on-duty,” said Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier. “Based on the initial findings of the investigation, McHenry’s employment was terminated. Although everyone is entitled to due process, the severity of the allegations are unsettling. Probable cause was established and that led to the arrest. This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Because of the seriousness of this incident, SBI agents have worked nonstop with local law enforcement and the district attorney. We appreciate the cooperation of Sheriff Kenny Harden and the Butler County Sheriff’s Department.”

Charlotte Tesmer, district attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit, has recused herself and her office from the case.

“Because he covered two of my counties and has cases pending in my circuit, I recused my office from the prosecution of the case and requested that Attorney General Luther Strange’s office handle the case,” Tesmer said.

The Second Judicial Circuit is made up of Butler, Crenshaw and Lowndes Counties.

The case remains under investigation, according to officials with ALEA.