JOINER, Judge.
Donald Richard Day appeals his conviction for second-degree sexual abuse, see § 13A-6-67(a)(2), Ala.Code 1975. For the reasons stated below, we reverse and remand.
By way of an indictment the State charged that Day, "being sixteen years of age or older, did knowingly subject [J.L.S.], who at the time was less than twelve years of age, to sexual contact, to-wit: fondling her vagina with his hands, in violation of § 13A-6-66(a)(3) of the Code of Alabama."
After the State presented its case-in-chief, Day moved the circuit court for a judgment of acquittal on the basis that "there [was] no testimony that [Day] fondled [J.L.S.'s] vagina when she was under the age of twelve." (R. 123.) The State agreed, but asserted that it had proved what it considered a lesser-included offense — second-degree sexual abuse. (R. 123.) In response, Day asserted that if the circuit court "grant[s] the judgment of acquittal then ... the case is over." (R. 124.) The circuit court granted the motion for a judgment of acquittal, but allowed the trial "to go forward" on second-degree sexual abuse. (R. 125.) After the circuit court charged the jury but before the jury began its deliberations, Day objected to the second-degree-sexual-abuse instruction and again moved for a judgment of acquittal on the basis that second-degree sexual abuse was not a lesser-included offense of first-degree sexual abuse. (R. 325.) The circuit court denied the motion, and the jury returned a verdict finding Day guilty of second-degree sexual abuse. (R. 326-27.)
The question presented to this Court is purely a question of law; thus, we review it de novo. Ex parte Peraita, 897 So.2d 1227, 1231 (Ala.2004).
Day was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, and the code section defining that offense states: "A person commits the crime of sexual abuse in the first degree if... he, being 16 years old or older, subjects another person to sexual contact who is less than 12 years old." § 13A-6-66(a)(3), Ala.Code 1975. Day was convicted, however, of second-degree sexual abuse, and the code section defining that offense states:
§ 13A-6-67(a)(2), Ala.Code 1975.
In Alabama, "[s]pecification of an offense in an indictment or information shall constitute a charge of that offense and of all lesser offenses necessarily included therein." Rule 13.2(c), Ala. R.Crim. P. Regarding lesser-included offenses, § 13A-1-9, Ala.Code 1975, states:
Day argues, and we agree, that with respect to this case second-degree sexual abuse under § 13A-6-67(a)(2) does not require the same or fewer facts to establish the commission of first-degree sexual abuse under § 13A-6-66(a)(3), but different and additional facts. Likewise, with respect to this case, second-degree sexual abuse under § 13A-6-67(a)(2) is not "an attempt or solicitation to commit the offense charged or to commit a lesser-included offense"; it is not "specifically designated by statute as a lesser degree of the offense charged"; and it does not "differ... only in the respect that a less serious injury or risk of injury to the same person, property or public interests, or a lesser kind of culpability suffices to establish its commission." § 13A-1-9(a)(1)-(4), Ala. Code 1975.
As it pertains to this case, second-degree sexual abuse under § 13A-6-67(a)(2), Ala.Code 1975, is not a lesser-included offense of § 13A-6-66(a)(3), Ala.Code 1975. See generally Allen v. State, 472 So.2d 1122, 1125-26 (Ala.Crim.App.1985) ("The age factor necessarily distinguishes these two offenses and makes them separate and distinct crimes. The offenses of first and
Therefore, we reverse Day's conviction and sentence and remand this matter for proceedings consistent with this opinion.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
WINDOM, P.J., and WELCH and BURKE, JJ., concur.
KELLUM, J., concurs in the result.
"It is well settled that the law in effect at the time of the commission of the offense controls the prosecution." Minnifield v. State, 941 So.2d 1000, 1001 (Ala.Crim.App. 2005). Day was accused of sexual contact with a victim who, at the time of the offense, was less than 12 years of age; the victim, J.L.S., was born in 1992, and thus, was less than 12 until sometime in 2004. Section 13A-6-66(a)(3), Ala.Code 1975, was in effect during this time and, accordingly, was the proper section under which to charge Day.