James Alan Hayes , Convicted

After a sentencing hearing this morning, Circuit Judge Matt Elliott sentenced James Alan Hayes, 51, of Guntersville, to the maximum 40-year sentence. The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Bray.

On September 3, 2024, Hayes entered the Geraldine Police Department where he informed officers that he needed to confess to a crime that occurred in Marshall County. Inv. Hagan Wilbanks and Inv. Robert Fann responded for the Guntersville Police Department and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, respectively. Hayes confessed to Inv. Wilbanks and Inv. Fann that he molested a family member while living in Guntersville when she was approximately 9 years old.

On September 15, 2025, Hayes entered a “blind” plea to two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child Less Than 12, meaning there were no agreements between Hayes and the District Attorney’s Office regarding the length of his sentence. The maximum sentence handed down by Judge Elliott must be served by Hayes with no opportunity for parole or good-time, meaning it is a day-for-day sentence. Hayes will remain in the Alabama Department of Corrections until his death or until he is almost 92 years old, whichever comes first.

DA Bray stated: “The victim in this case has been through the unimaginable and is still struggling today. I ask that our community pray for her healing. I am thankful Mr. Hayes came forward and confessed to his crimes; however, as Judge Elliott pointed out at sentencing, that does not mean he is not deserving of the maximum punishment under the law.”

Thank you to the Geraldine Police Department, Guntersville Police Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Child Advocacy Center of Marshall County, and Marshall County DHR for their hard work on a tough case.