By Rupert Howell
A Panola County Sheriff’s Department employee has been indicted on a count of statutory rape and fondling following action by the county’s grand jury Wednesday.

Norman Hughes turned himself in to the sheriff’s department late Wednesday afternoon and posted $50,000 bond and was released according to a source close to the investigation.

Information from the Circuit Clerk’s office was yet to be made public but the Panola County Jail Log indicated Hughes walked into the jail at 4:03 and was released at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Charges listed on the jail log included statutory rape, touching of child for lustful purposes.

Hughes is on the road crew in the county’s roadside pickup work program  and was earlier placed on leave when allegations surfaced.