The man repeatedly forced the girl to perform sex acts before letting her play video games, prosecutors say

ONEONTA, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) -An Alabama man has been convicted after repeatedly forcing a child to perform sex acts on him in exchange for letting him play video games.

In March 2019, a 10-year-old told police that 42-year-old Dustin Lamar Peoples sexually assaulted her from August 7, 2018, until Christmas of the same year, WBRC reported.

Days later, she was interviewed at the Blount County Children’s Center.

“She was innocent,” said District Attorney Pamela L. Casey. “She didn’t know the common words that adults or even teenagers would use to describe what had happened to her. She spoke as a child. As an innocent child. Dustin Peoples stole this child’s innocence.”

A grand jury indicted Dustin Lamar Peoples in August 2019, and he remained out of jail until his trial began this week.

During his trial, prosecutors said Peoples subjected the child to sexual contact by touching her genitals. They also presented evidence that Peoples forced the girl to perform oral sex on him at least four times.

Prosecutors also forced the child to perform oral sex on him before allowing the child to play video games on her gaming console.

Peoples took the stand in his own defense and denied having any inappropriate contact with the child.

Peoples was found guilty this week of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12 and of sodomy in the first degree.

After the verdict was read, Circuit Judge Greg Reid remanded Peoples to the custody of the Blount County Sheriff’s Department to await sentencing.

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