By Tonia Rose, staff writer
March 4, 2010 — After three years of seeking justice, two former females inmates at the Carter County Detention Center could have their day in court.
Deputy Jailer Keith Hollingsworth was indicted March 4 on two counts of sexual acts with two unnamed inmates.
The indictment alleges that June 15, 2005 (count one) and Dec. 16, 2005, (count two) Hollingsworth, 43, of Olive Hill, engaged in separate sexual acts with the two women while they were under his supervision and disciplinary authority.
Count one charges that Hollingsworth did knowingly engage and attempt to engage in sexual acts with a female who was at the time in official detention and under the custodial, supervisory and disciplinary authority of the defendant.
Count two charges that Hollingsworth, while acting under color of law, statute and regulation, willfully subjected the second female in custody to a sexual act and did deprive the victim of a right, protected and secured by the 18th and 14th Amendments of the Constitution of the United States, that is the right not to be deprived liberty without due process of law which includes the right to 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 after a federal grand jury in Ashland returned the indictment. The indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick H. Molley.
If convicted of count one, Hollingsworth faces up to 15 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.
If found guilty of Count two, he faces not more than one year behind bars, a $100,000 fine and up to one year of supervised released.
However, the court would impose any sentence following conviction after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.
Hollingsworth is a brother to Shelia Binion, the jailer's wife. He is currently on paid medical leave from his job at the detention center.
A grand jury indictment is a formal accusation of a crime and does not establish guilt.
