AG speaks about former chief's arrest

By Staff
Alabama's Attorney General is speaking out on the arrest of a former Somerville police chief on charges he sexually abused young children.
Christopher Taft Landers is charged with two counts of first degree sodomy of two children younger than 12, one count of first-degree sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old and one count of enticing a child under age 16 for immoral purposes.
Landers, 37, was arrested July 14. He has since posted bond.
AG Troy King, who's office presented the evidence against Landers to a Morgan County Grand Jury in June, said alleged crimes committed by those in positions of authority are particularly egregious.
"We have no higher obligation than to protect the most defenseless among us and that is exactly what we will do," King said. "This is a particularly grave and heinous case because it involves accusations of horrendous crimes by a police chief, who was entrusted by the citizens to uphold the law and protect children from such wickedness."
Landers served as Somerville's police chief for two years before resigning in 2006. He cited personal reasons for his resignation.
King's office said additional details of Landers' alleged crimes could not be released at this time.
If convicted, Landers faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each of the first-degree sodomy charges; 10 years in prison and $5,000 in fines for the first-degree sexual abuse charge; and five years and a $5,000 fine for the enticing a child charge.