Woodford coroner pleads not guilty to sodomy charges

Woodford County Coroner Steve Ward pleaded not guilty to six counts of third-degree sodomy Wednesday morning.

Ward, 54, was arrested Feb. 10 by Kentucky State Police after he was indicted by a Woodford County grand jury. He was released from the Woodford County jail after posting $5,000 bond.

State police have said the charges are based on the allegations of a victim who was 14 at the time but is an adult now. Third-degree sodomy is a class D felony punishable by one to five years in prison.

Ward has been the Woodford County coroner since 1990. Woodford County Judge-Executive John Coyle has said Ward is still coroner unless he resigns or is removed from office.

This story was originally published March 3, 2010 at 11:29 AM with the headline "Woodford coroner pleads not guilty to sodomy charges."