Louisville FBI office bites jailer

Department of Justice Press Release

For Immediate Release
March 4, 2010 United States Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Kentucky
Contact: (859) 233-2661

Deputy Jailer Indicted for Sexual Acts with Inmates

ASHLAND, KY—Keith D. Hollingsworth, a deputy jailer and maintance man at the Carter County Detention Center in Grayson, Ky., was indicted today on one count of sexual abuse of ward and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.

The indictment alleges that in December of 2005, Hollingsworth, 43, of Olive Hill, Ky. engaged in sexual acts with an inmate who was in official detention and under his supervision and disciplinary authority.

Also, in June of 2007, Hollingsworth allegedly subjected a different inmate to sexual acts. According to the indictment, the acts deprived the inmate of a constitutional right not to be deprived of liberty which includes bodily integrity.

James A. Zerhusen, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Timothy D. Cox, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, jointly made the announcement today after a federal grand jury in Ashland, Ky. returned the indictment.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick H. Molloy.

Hollingsworth’s appearance before the United States District Court has not yet been set by the court in Ashland. If convicted, Hollingsworth faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.

The indictment of a person by a grand jury is an accusation only, and that person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.