ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, April 9, 1997               TAG: 9704090028
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: PULASKI

CHARGE FILED IN SEXUAL ASSAULT OF 4-YEAR-OLD

Man, awaiting trial on indecent liberties cases, is arrested again.

After town police arrested a 23-year-old man on a charge of aggravated sexual battery last week, the suspect admitted he had touched a 4-year-old girl in her genital area.

Police said the incident occurred Friday in the 300 block of Washington Avenue. An officer arrested Shannon H. Eanes of Pulaski after arriving at the scene of an argument between the girl's parents and Eanes.

Police said the girl was standing at the scene with her pants at her ankles and accusing Eanes of touching her. Once the officer took Eanes to the magistrate's office, Eanes confessed while sitting in the police car.

Eanes reportedly told police he gave the girl $7, unbuckled her pants and touched her. Police charged Eanes with the felony, which carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Pulaski Circuit Court records show Eanes is to be tried April 24 on six felony charges of taking indecent liberties with children. The maximum punishment for each of those charges is five years in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Eanes is being held without bond in the Pulaski County Jail.

LENGTH: Short :   32 lines