By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

A former Shelby County Department of Human Resources employee has been indicted on multiple sex-related charges after he was arrested by the Alabaster Police Department in August, according to court records.

A Shelby County grand jury returned a four-count indictment on 29-year-old Pelham resident Brandon Howard Daniel during its December 2013 session. Daniel was indicted on charges of soliciting for purpose of influencing official action, indecent exposure, harassment and third-degree theft of property.

According to his indictment, Daniel, while serving as a DHR employee in August 2013, allegedly told a female client “that if she would have sex with him that he would not take her children away from her.”

Daniel’s harassment charge came when he allegedly threatened to “remove the victim’s children away from her, with the intent to carry out the threat.” His burglary charge came when he allegedly stole a pillow case valued at $10 from the victim’s residence.

Daniel is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges during a Feb. 3 hearing at 8:30 a.m. at the Shelby County Courthouse.

Daniel’s arrest came after Alabaster police said the victim filed a complaint claiming Daniel, her DHR case worker, had inappropriate sexual contact with her during a home visit.

On the morning of Aug. 22, Alabaster and Columbiana officers and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies closed off access to the Shelby County DHR office in Columbiana while police searched the building. Police charged Daniel with the crimes on the afternoon of Aug. 22, and he posted bonds totaling $40,000 the same day.

According to court documents, Daniel is being represented by Birmingham attorney Emory Anthony Jr.

Soliciting for the purpose of influencing official action is a Class B felony. If convicted of the crime, Daniel could face between two and 20 years in prison.