Former Eastview man charged with rape of child

A former Eastview man was indicted this week for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with a girl who was younger than 12 years old at the time of the incident.

SMITH

Sherman L. Smith, 67, faces charges of first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

According to the indictment, the alleged contact occurred between February and June of last year.

Smith was arrested in September in Texas. Police said he fled Kentucky after allegations were reported to Kentucky State Police Post 4 in Elizabethtown.

Because he refused extradition, police had to obtain a governor’s warrant, which KSP said caused a two-month lapse between his arrest and transportation to Hardin County.

He remains lodged at Hardin County Detention Center in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond. Arraignment in Hardin Circuit Court has not been set.

According to court records, Smith has no prior criminal history.

First-degree rape is a Class A felony when the victim is younger than 12, according to Kentucky Revised Statutes. It is punishable by 20 to 50 years or life imprisonment when convicted.

An indictment is an allegation, not proof of guilt. A defendant is innocent until proven guilty.

Beginning this month, the Hardin County grand jury is returning indictments once a week as opposed to once at the end of the month.

Other indictments returned this week:

• Bryanna M. Grant, 20, theft by unlawful taking less than $500 and four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument
• Michael S. Grant, 29, receiving stolen property more than $500 but less than $10,000 and second-degree persistent felony offense
• Larry K. Hampton, 25, second-degree burglary, receiving stolen property more than $500 and less than $10,000 and second-degree persistent felony offense
• Jim S. Allen, 23, receiving a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating on a suspended driver’s license and rear license not illuminated
• Andrew S. Marcum, 25, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and second-degree persistent felony offense
• Billy Lee Bradshaw Jr., 25, first-degree bail jumping and second-degree persistent felony offense
• Christopher C. Bethea Jr., 19, theft by unlawful taking — automobile
• Jonathan Short, 23, second-degree burglary and two counts of impersonating a peace officer
• Brandon Lanham, 25, first-degree possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine
• Carim A. Rashad Yafi, 23, first-degree promoting contraband, tampering with physical evidence and driving under the influence
• Christina Blanton, 35, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance — hydrocodone, less than 20 dose units, and two counts of second-degree wanton endangerment
• James Richard Brady, 21, complicity to commit second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance — hydrocodone, less than 20 dose units, and two counts of second-degree wanton endangerment
• Dawn Michelle Cline, 44, first-degree promoting contraband
• Michael J. Murray, 34, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon; second-degree criminal abuse; cultivating marijuana — firearm enhanced, less than five plants; first-degree persistent felony offense
• Xavier Smith, 20, second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor.

Sarah Bennettcan be reached at (270) 505-1750 or sbennett@thenewsenterprise.com.