Ala. Officer Faces More Sex Charges

ALABASTER, Ala. (AP) — A Birmingham police officer charged with sexually abusing a child is facing additional charges.

Alabaster police say 29-year-old Joshua Herbinger is now charged with first-degree rape. The case involves a woman.

The Alabaster man was charged with four counts of sexual abuse of a child younger than 12 earlier this month.

Herbinger is being held at the Shelby County Jail with bond set at $60,000, and police say more charges are possible.

Herbinger attorney John Lentine says the officer is innocent. He calls Herbinger a law enforcement officer, not a criminal.

Herbinger has been with the Birmingham Police Department for about nine years.