FORMER DECATUR OFFICER GETS 10 YEARS IN PORNOGRAPHY CASE

A judge sentenced a former Decatur policeman on Thursday to 10 years in
federal prison for possessing and producing child pornography involving a
teenage girl.

Raymond Malone was taken into custody following his sentencing in
Birmingham's federal court. Federal sentences do not carry parole. Malone
also must pay a $2,500 fine.

Malone pleaded guilty in October to charges stemming from a videotape
showing Malone, 37, engaging in sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl,
authorities said.

Malone possessed the videotape at his Decatur home on Jan. 18, 2002. He had
been involved with the girl since she was 14, authorities said.

A FBI investigation led to his arrest, said Assistant U.S. Attorney James
Phillips.

Malone was a Decatur police officer from 1997 until January 2002, when he
resigned. He also worked in the department's Drug Abuse Resistance
Education program, which targets school children for drug prevention.
Malone also worked as a security guard at a skating rink.

On Thursday Malone wore his Army uniform. The former Reservist apologized
to the court for taking up its time and apologized for what happened.

The victim and her mother testified at Malone's sentencing.

Phillips said Malone's case is the second in the past year in the Decatur
and Huntsville area. Adam Vaughn, a former Madison police officer, pleaded
guilty to possessing child pornography last year. Vaughn was sentenced to
nearly 2½ years in federal prison.