Demopolis city employee charged with custodial sexual misconduct

DEMOPOLIS, Ala – On Friday, law enforcement agents with the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Investigations and Intelligence Division arrested a Demopolis city employee after she was charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a male inmate.

Barbara Blevins, 48, of Forkland, was arrested on five counts of custodial sexual misconduct after the investigation revealed evidence that she was having physical relations with an ADOC inmate. The inmate was assigned to the Camden Community Based Facility working for the City of Demopolis at the time of Blevins’ arrest.

The ADOC opened this ongoing investigation after an anonymous tip claiming a “potentially inappropriate relationship” between Blevins and the inmate.

The charges against Blevins are considered Class C felonies in the state of Alabama.

Blevins was booked at the Marengo County Jail following her arrest.

The male inmate involved in this case does not face criminal charges, but ADOC disciplinary action is pending, and he has been removed from the work-release program. His identity is not being released according to Samantha Banks, spokesperson for ADOC.

Demopolis Mayor John Laney said Blevins was placed on administrative leave Monday, pending the results of the investigation.

“Barbara has been an exemplary employee for the City of Demopolis since she first joined the team in 2007 as horticulturalist,” said Laney. “In her position as Public Works Superintendent, she has done an excellent job and served our city well.”

Taylor Paramore, who has worked alongside Blevins, will serve as interim superintendent.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and her family, and like any other citizen, Barbara is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” said Laney.

The case is being processed by the Marengo County District Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office, Public Corruption Division.