In a shocking event that shakes the structures of activism in the state of Alabama, the president of Central Alabama Pride, Dezmond Turner, a 32-year-old resident of Ashville, Ala., has been arrested and formally charged with serious criminal offenses involving child abuse and unlawful sexual conduct.
The top representative of the main gay pride organization based in Birmingham, who simultaneously served as a school bus aide in the Shelby County Schools, faces two felony charges of child abuse and torture along with a misdemeanor charge of inappropriate sexual conduct.
His arrest was carried out jointly by the Pelham Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office on September 14, 2026 (publicly reported on Wednesday, September 16, 2026).
Following the disclosure of the judicial accusations, the vice president of the Central Alabama Pride organization, Hunter Rowe, confirmed that Dezmond Turner recently submitted his resignation as president of the entity. Meanwhile, officials from the Shelby County Schools district confirmed that Dezmond Turner is an employee of the institution and was immediately suspended from his duties under administrative leave while the criminal investigation continues.
The school system issued an official statement saying: “The school system is cooperating with the appropriate agencies investigating the matter”, adding that “Our students and families place their trust in us every day, and we remain committed to honoring that trust through thoughtful, responsible, and appropriate actions”.
