A former Athens Police officer was charged Tuesday with felony sexual abuse involving an adult, a Huntsville Police spokesman said.

Arthur “Perry” Gooch, 35, of Athens was arrested on a warrant for first-degree sexual abuse and released from Huntsville City jail after posting a $5,000 bond, said Huntsville Police spokesman Wendell Johnson and a city jailer.

Johnson said the incident, which occurred in Huntsville, involved an adult and was investigated by Huntsville Police.

“I cannot provide details to the case,” Johnson said.

Police investigators were not available Wednesday afternoon to give the specifics of the case.

According to the Alabama Criminal Code, a person commits first-degree sexual abuse – a Class C felony – when he subjects another adult to sexual contact by forcible compulsion or subjects another person to sexual contact who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated.

Gooch was employed by Athens Police from March 2003 until Nov. 9, when he resigned, records show.