Recently Retired Trimble County Sheriff arrested and charged with sexual abuse while in office

He was appointed Sheriff in 2017

                                                             (PHOTO COURTESY OF OLDHAM COUNTY DETENTION)

Former Trimble County Sheriff 53 yo Charles Kelton turned himself in on an arrest warrant, for charges stemming from sexual abuse allegations while in his official capacity.

According to an arrest warrant, he is accused of sexual contact by forcible compulsion of an employee within the Trimble County Attorney’s Office. The warrant states he allegedly “admitted to grabbing the victim’s hip and pulling her against him despite her physically and verbally rejecting his advances.”

The alleged abuse happened on February 2025, while he was on duty as Trimble County Sheriff.

He is facing a felony charge of sexual abuse in the first degree and a misdemeanor charge of official misconduct in the first degree.

He reported to the Oldham County Jail, which houses Trimble County inmates, on Saturday morning and he was released on HIP after posting a $5,000 surety bond. He is to have no contact with the alleged victim.  

He was appointed Sheriff in 2017 and won reelection in the last election he retired as Trimble County Sheriff in July.  

He is scheduled to appear in Trimble District Court this Thursday.