BARBOURVILLE, KY. (LEX 18) — A 70-year-old Barbourville, Ky. man has been arrested for kidnapping a 12-year-old girl on Saturday, July 18.
At 9:50 p.m., Kentucky State Police was contacted by the Knox County Sheriff’s Department to assist a deputy at Whitesburg Hollow Road in the Barbourville community of Knox County. Tpr. Sidney Wagner responded and began an investigation.
The initial investigation indicates a 12-year-old girl was riding her bicycle on Whitesburg Hollow Road when Benny Hammons approached the 12-year-old girl while he was in his vehicle.
The 12-year-old was asked to drive his vehicle while Hammons placed her bike inside of the car. Hammons is accused of sexual assaulting the 12-year-old while in the vehicle.
The 12-year-old girl was driving on Whitesburg Hollow Road when she observed a police officer patrolling in the area at which time she attempted to drive toward him. Hammons grabbed the wheel and the vehicle drove off the roadway and into a ditch.
Hammons was arrested and lodged into the Knox County Detention Center and is charged with wanton endangerment 1st degree, kidnapping-minor, and rape 1st degree.
If anyone has more information about this case, you can contact Post 10 Harlan at 606-573-3131. Tpr. Sidney Wagner is continuing the investigation.
