Dana Allen Confesses To Raping A Lauderdale County Teen

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) – A Shoals woman has pleaded guilty to second-degree rape.  Dana Allen had been accused of having sex with a 14-year-old boy.

Inside the courtroom, Allen quietly admitted to the crime of raping a minor, saying:  “I had sex with a young man under the age of 16.” 

It’s a confession prosecutors say, saves the young victim from the trauma of a public trial.

“Our responsibility which we take seriously, is we wanted to make sure the victim and his family was on board with whatever settlement there was and they are,” said Chris Connolly, Lauderdale County District Attorney.

Allen faces a 3 year sentence.  According to the Connolly, the judge will decide whether Allen goes to prison, gets probation, or gets a split sentence. 

“There are a number of other people in the community who have been impacted by what she did so it will be our position at sentencing that she should have to serve time in the penitentiary for this,” said Connolly.

No matter what the judge orders, the district attorney says Allen must register as a sex offender.   A punishment Connolly says, will last a lifetime.

Allen admitted to having sex with several other boys, who were all above the age of consent.

Prosecutors expect family members of those victims to testify during Allen’s sentencing.

A judge will sentence Allen on July 26th.