Blount County Jury Takes Less Than 15 Minutes to Convict Ronald Shane Crow

WARNING: graphic and disturbing content involving the sexual and physical abuse of a child. Readers are advised to use their own discretion before proceeding.

A Blount County jury has convicted Ronald Shane Crow, age 48, of 838 Reed Road, Lot 1, Trafford, of two counts of sexual torture of a child under the age of twelve, distributing a controlled substance to a minor, rape in the first degree, three counts of sodomy in the first degree, sexual abuse of a child under the age of twelve, two counts of unlawful imprisonment, indecent exposure, and menacing.

Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey presented evidence in the Circuit Court of Blount County that on Saturday, May 1, 2021, a nine year old girl was left in the care of Ronald Shane Crow for the weekend.

According to information provided to ALPolitics.com:

“On Sunday, May 2, the girl's step-father went to pick her up and found her to be agitated and hallucinating about snakes, rats, and spiders crawling on her. On the way home, she started taking her clothes off. When they arrived home, the child's mother called 9-1-1 and the child was ultimately transported to Children's Hospital in Birmingham. Doctors soon determined the child was suffering from methamphetamine and amphetamine toxicity. The child had to be sedated due to ongoing hallucinations and distress. On Tuesday, May 4, the child awoke from sedation and disclosed that Crow made her take pills, raped her, subjected her to deviate sexual intercourse, and subjected her to sexual torture with what she described as "a stick". The child further disclosed that Crow tied her hands and feet together, put tape over her mouth, put a black plastic bag over her head, and threatened to kill her if she told anyone. On another occasion during the same weekend, Crow put one hand around her throat, put a gun to her head, and reminded her he would kill her if she told anyone what happened.”

Law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant on Crow's residence where pieces of duct tape, a roll of black bags and a small bag containing methamphetamine were recovered. Also found during the search was ammunition for a .38 caliber revolver. In one of the bedrooms, a pole was found to be suspended over a bed, consistent with a pole described by the child during interview.

During the trial, photos taken of the bedroom and pole were presented as evidence. Pieces of the recovered duct tape were submitted to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science, where testing revealed the child’s DNA was found on the tape. This DNA evidence was introduced by testimony from a State Department forensic scientist.

The jury deliberated for less than 15 minutes before returning a verdict of guilty on all thirteen counts. Sentencing will be held at a separate hearing, with a date to be set later. Prior to sentencing, Crow will remain in the custody of the Blount County Sheriff.

District Attorney Pamela Casey said, "There are no words to describe what this young lady endured at the hands of Ronald Shane Crow. He is evil. This young lady was able to tell us about the horrible things this monster did to her. She remembers how he made her feel. She remembers how much pain he caused her. She remembers how horrible he smelled. She remembers how terrified she was about being forced to commit additional sexual acts or even killed. I intend to ask the court to impose consecutive sentences on all charges so that Ronald Shane Crow never gets an opportunity to harm another child."

DA Casey commended the work of Inv. Edward Hull of the Blount County Sheriff's Office for his work on this matter.

Under Alabama law, the sexual torture of a child is a Class A felony which carries a of 10 years to life, or life without parole if enhanced by certain conditions. First degree rape and first degree sodomy are also Class A felonies which carry sentences of 10 years to life. If the victim is under the age of 12, Alabama law allows for life without parole.

Distributing a controlled substance to a minor is also a Class A felony, which carries a sentence of 10 years to life. Sexual abuse of a child is a Class B felony which carries a sentence of 2 to 20 years. Unlawful imprisonment and indecent exposure are both Class A misdemeanors which carry sentences of up to 1 year. Menacing is a Class B misdemeanor which carries a sentence of up to 6 months.