Sunset official charged with sex assault of boy

Mel Vern H. Wood was charged Tuesday with aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

Wood, who has been a councilman since 1997, faces up to life in prison if convicted of the charge. He was not re-elected in the Nov. 4 election, and his term expires at the end of the year.

According to court documents, Wood caused "injury to the genitalia of a male child under the age of 14 years of age" sometime between Oct. 24-26.

Wood has not been arrested but will be served a summons to appear in court. A court date has not been set for an initial appearance.

Sunset Mayor Janice Galbraith said Wood is in a local hospital recovering from recent hip surgery.

Wood retired last year after serving as the public works director for Clinton City for 20 years.

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