DAILY LEADER / KATIE WILLIAMSON / Randy Allen Reid is escorted by law enforcement from the court room to the Lincoln County Jail Wednesday.

Following a two-day trial, Randy Allen Reid, formerly of Lincoln County, was found guilty Wednesday of touching a child for lustful purposes.

Reid indictment’s from February 2013 stated Reid did handle, touch or rub with his hand or hands the clad genitalia and breasts of a female child under the age of 16 years for gratifying his lust or indulging his depraved licentious sexual desires, contrary to and in violation of Mississippi State Code.

REID

The incident happened on more than one occasion between Jan. 5, 2004, and Jan 31, 2007, in Lincoln County. The abuse began when the victim, who was adopted by Reid and his wife at the time, was approximately eight years of age when the abuse began.

Reid was also indicted for sexual battery, which includes penetration of the victim, but was found innocent.

During the trial, the victim testified her adoptive father, Reid, assaulted her multiple times as a child.

In the closing remarks, assistant district attorney Brendon Adams said the victim came forward because she was worried about her younger sister’s safety. Adams said the victim was being threatened by Reid and did not feel safe going to the authorities as a child.

Reid and his former wife adopted the victim at the age of six because the victim was in an abusive home. His former wife stated in courtroom testimony when Reid told her, their preacher and the preacher’s wife that he was fondling the victim, the preacher instructed her not to go to the authorities and to keep it within the church community.

The preacher’s wife testified Tuesday that Reid had admitted to fondling the victim. Reid’s biological daughter also testified to being present while Reid and the victim played the “Mommy and Daddy” game in bed together. Reid’s ex-wife also testified Reid admitted twice to having fondled the victim.

Reid was the last to take the stand in his own defense.

“I never touched her in any inappropriate way,” said Reid.

He added the victim was prone to lying, the preacher’s wife was not telling the truth, and his biological daughter, who was a toddler at the time, could have been confused.

Reid’s sentencing will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Brookhaven Lincoln County Government Complex.