Former Bibb County Deputy Sheriff Convicted of Sexual Exploitation

Esther Ciammachilli | December 18, 2015

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A former Bibb County deputy sheriff has been convicted on six criminal charges stemming from allegations that he sexually exploited women he encountered during traffic stops.

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange announced the conviction of Ervin Heard today

Heard, 44, of Centreville, was found guilty on December 17, 2015, of charges of custodial sexual misconduct, first degree sexual abuse, second degree human trafficking, intimidating a witness, unlawful imprisonment and harassing communications. Heard was fired from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 for behavior unbecoming a law enforcement officer.

During the trial, seven female witnesses testified that Heard, while on duty as a deputy sheriff, solicited and received sexual favors from them in exchange for not taking them to jail for various offenses. Evidence showed that Heard transported at least one of these female victims in his patrol car to the Sheriff’s Office for the purpose of forcing her to perform a sexual act.

“Law enforcement personnel are sworn to protect the public,” said Attorney General Strange. “When someone crosses the line and abuses their authority there can be no excuse. The defendant, while an officer of the law, chose to ignore his duty to protect and defend. He should therefore be held accountable to the law and face the full measure of justice.”

Heard is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23, 2016. The Attorney General’s Criminal Trials Division prosecuted the case at the request of the Bibb County District Attorney’s Office, which recused itself from the case.