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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A former Alabama police spokesman was found guilty Wednesday of raping a teen relative.
It took the jury 30 minutes to convict former Birmingham Police Lt. Pete Williston of first-degree rape, AL.com reported.
Prosecutors said Williston used his authority over the teen and forced her to have sex with him. The victim testified that Williston made her break up with a boy and told her if she was going to have sex, she would have sex with him. The victim said Williston sexually abused her from 2008 to 2011, starting when she was 14 years old.
Williston admitted to having sex with the victim. Williston's attorney Scott Morro argued that the victim was 16 years old at the time and the sex was consensual.
“I recognize it was disgusting and inappropriate,” Williston said during his testimony. “I was an adult. I should have known better.”
Morro said he plans to appeal the verdict. Williston was a 17-year veteran of the Birmingham Police Department. He was arrested in June 2018.
A sentencing date was set for April 3.
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