By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

A 29-year-old former Department of Human Resources employee charged with having inappropriate sexual contact with a client is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 30 for a preliminary hearing.

Brandon Howard Daniel, a Pelham resident, was arrested by the Alabaster Police Department on Aug. 22 and charged with counts of soliciting for purpose of influencing official action, indecent exposure, harassment and theft of property. Jennifer Neumann, assistant attorney general for the State of Alabama who is representing the Department of Human Resources, said Daniel was fired more than a month ago.

According to Shelby County Jail records, Daniel was released from jail on a $40,000 bond the same day he was arrested. He is scheduled to appear before Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Dan Reeves at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 30 for a preliminary hearing, according to court records.

Daniel originally was scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 25, but the hearing was continued to Oct. 30.

The arrest came after an adult female filed a complaint claiming her DHR case worker had inappropriate sexual contact with her during a home visit, according to Alabaster police.

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.