Foley man sentenced to 180 years on rape, sodomy conviction

Posted

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — A Foley man has been sentenced to 180 years following a conviction in April in Baldwin County Circuit Court on rape and sodomy charges in Robertsdale.

According to a release on social media Friday by the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office, Circuit Court Judge Joe Norton sentenced Steven Dwayne Chesser to 25 years for each of three convictions for first degree sodomy, 25 years for first degree rape, 20 years each for three convictions for second degree sodomy, and 20 years for second degree rape.

Norton ordered the sentences to be served consecutively, which gives Chesser a total sentence of 180 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Chesser, 33, whose address is listed on the Baldwin County Corrections Facililty website as a P.O. Box in Foley, was convicted on April 21 following a jury trial in Baldwin County Circuit Court, according to the release.

He was indicted on charges of rape, second degree; three counts, sodomy, first degree; rape, first degree and three counts, sodomy, second degree miscellaneous after engaging in “deviate sexual intercourse” with a victim who was between 13 and 15 years old, according to media reports.

The case was investigated by Lt. Tedd Stone and Officer Justin Williams of the Robertsdale Police Department and the Baldwin County Department of Human Resources. Special crime scene investigative assistance was provided by Cassandra Linville of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kristi Hagood and Shelley Corley. Forensic interviews and other services for the victims have been provided by the Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center. Medical treatment was provided by the USA Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and analysis of evidence was provided by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

“The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank everyone for their hard work in this case,” according to the release. “But most of all, the District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the victim and her family for their bravery in coming to court to confront her abuser and telling the truth so that her abuser can be brought to justice.”