Man accused of sexually abusing sleeping woman

A Russellville man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly sexually abusing a female victim while she was asleep, police said.
Rowland Wayne Byrd, 41, with a listed address of the Budget Inn in Russellville, was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said.
According to Hargett, the police department received a call late Tuesday night from a female who stated she had been sexually abused.
Hargett said the victim stated that she was staying with Byrd Tuesday evening at the Budget Inn on U.S. 43 in Russellville.
Sometime during the night, Hargett said the victim woke up while she was being sexually abused and fought with Byrd before gaining access to a phone and calling authorities.
Investigator Lt. Scotty Lowery said Byrd was later picked up for questioning and, following the interview, Byrd was arrested and charged.
Lowery said the victim sustained minor injuries during the attack but did not need medical attention.
Byrd is in custody at the Franklin County Jail without bail pending a bond revocation hearing for a previous case.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x