Man convicted of sex charges involving 13-year-old in Elmore County

A Montgomery man has been convicted of sex charges involving a 13-year-old girl in Elmore County.

District Attorney CJ Robinson says a jury has found 32-year-old James Zarek Brunson guilty of rape in the first degree and two counts of felony sexual abuse in the second degree.

Robinson says Brunson had been tried on the same charges in January, but the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous decision with eleven of the twelve jurors voting to convict.  Brunson testified in his defense during both trials. 

Robinson says the rape and sexual abuse of the 13-year-old victim happened at two separate locations in Elmore County.  He said the victim was well known to Brunson and his family.

“James Brunson is a pervert and a sexual predator. He would have continued committing disgusting crimes if this brave young woman had not come forward. Because of her, he has been stopped,” Robinson said.

“I am grateful for the excellent work of the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Millbrook Police  Department and Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center, our partners in seeking the  truth and pursuing justice. The fact that we tried this case twice, without deterrence, should send a clear message that the 19th Circuit will not tolerate child sex offenders exploiting our children, nor will we give up when we encounter an obstacle on our path.” 

Brunson is set to be sentenced by Judge Patrick Pinkston at the Elmore County Judicial Complex on September 30. 

— Information from the Office of the District Attorney CJ Robinson, 19th Judicial Circuit of Alabama