'Shame on you': 26-year-sentence delivered
Apr. 18—GREENUP — A Flatwoods man accused of sexual assault was sentenced Thursday for multiple counts involving a minor.
Judge Brian McCloud, of Greenup County Circuit Court, handed down a 26-year sentence entailing nine counts of charges to Kevin Bowling. Bowling was indicted by a Greenup County grand jury on sexual assault charges in June 2019.
Bowling was charged with use of a minor in sexual performance, two counts of first-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree rape, three counts of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor and first-degree attempted sodomy.
As previously reported by The Daily Independent, Bowling was arrested in March 2019 after a minor involved reported the abuse to an adult at her school.
In a soft-spoken but stern tone, McCloud told Bowling, "Shame on you," before sealing the sentence.
"Young lady, wherever you are now, I wish you the best," McCloud said. "You went through things you shouldn't have gone through and I am so sorry," he said. "You are strong, you can get through it; don't let the awfulness of this man get to you. I wish you nothing but peace."
A victim impact statement was read by the prosecution.
"The events still give me nightmares," the statement read. "I still have a fear of men because of the events of this case. I can't walk through the store and enjoy my time out of the house. ... I'm afraid to leave the house."
For four years, she repressed her memories of what happened, she said, which brought therapy and mental health issues to light.
"I have panic attacks to this day as far as stress-induced seizures. I have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression and PTSD," the victim wrote.
"I listened to that trial of what that young lady had to go through with her mother, and what you all did to her is shameful and horrendous," McCloud said.
Bowling had no comments before sentencing.
(606) 326-2657 — ajohnson@dailyindependent.com
