Florence man arrested for sexual abuse in church

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — A Florence man has been charged with sexual abuse in connection with an incident at a local church, according to online court records.

Brian Leon Dickinson, 20, was arrested Sunday and charged with first-degree sexual abuse.

According to a complaint filed in Lauderdale County District Court, officers with the Florence Police Department (FPD) went to the church and made contact with the pastor who told officers that a man, identified later as Dickinson, had entered the woman’s restroom and touched her inappropriately. a young girl.

According to a statement included in the complaint, a police officer said he made contact with Dickinson and asked if he had been in the women’s restroom. The officer said Dickinson admitted to going to the bathroom and, when asked why, said “just to see what would happen,” according to court records.

The officer said Dickinson was then taken into custody and read his Miranda rights.

The affidavit states that after interviewing people at the scene, officers transported Dickinson to the Florence Police Department for an interview with investigators. The officer said Dickinson admitted to touching the girl inappropriately during the interview, according to court records.

Dickenson was transported to the Lauderdale County Jail and charged with first-degree sexual abuse.