Knox County man accused of kidnapping 12-year-old girl on bike, sexually assaulting her
A Knox County man is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl who was riding her bike Saturday night, according to Kentucky State Police.
Benny Hammons, 70, of Barbourville is charged with kidnapping of a minor, first-degree rape and first-degree wanton endangerment, according to Kentucky State Police.
Hammons is accused of approaching a 12-year-old girl who was riding a bicycle on Whitesburg Hollow Road and asking her to drive his vehicle while he put her bike inside the car, according to state police. He is accused of sexually assaulting the girl after she was in the vehicle.
The girl was driving Hammon’s vehicle when she spotted a police officer in the area and tried to drive toward him, according to state police. But Hammons then grabbed the wheel and steered the vehicle off the road and into a ditch.
A deputy with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office called state police to assist with the investigation.
Hammons is being held in the Knox County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond, according to the jail’s website.
Kentucky State Police are asking anyone with information in the case to call Post 10 in Harlan at 606-573-3131.
This story was originally published July 19, 2020 at 7:53 PM.
