Former Alabama LGBT Organization President Arrested on Child Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Charges

Dezmond Turner, a 32-year-old former president of the LGBT organization Central Alabama Pride and a school bus aide, was arrested on September 14 in the US state of Alabama. He faces two felony charges of child abuse and one misdemeanor charge of sexual misconduct. Following his arrest, he was booked into the Shelby County Jail and released the same day on a $32,000 bond.

According to court documents cited by WBRC , the child abuse charges stem from two separate incidents that occurred on a school bus in late August and early September. It is alleged that Turner, whose duties included supervising children, slammed a child’s head against the bus wall multiple times, slapped the child, and pressed their head against the wall. The documents also state that he put his full body weight on the child to allow another person to pass.

In addition, an outstanding arrest warrant for Turner from January 2024 for sexual misconduct was executed. According to case files, in December 2023, he touched another person’s genitals and buttocks twice without their consent. This offense is classified as a misdemeanor, while the charges involving the child are felonies.

The Shelby County School District confirmed that Turner is an employee and has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. School officials stated they are cooperating with investigators.

Central Alabama Pride, an organization based in Birmingham, reported that after board members became aware of the situation, an emergency meeting was called to remove Turner from leadership. As a result, he resigned from his position as president of the organization.

Central Alabama Pride is a non-profit LGBT organization dedicated to hosting annual Pride events in central Alabama and supporting the local queer community.