The jury trial for Jeremy Caraway, who was indicted for rape is scheduled to begin today in Harlan Circuit Court.
Caraway, 38, of Loyall, is the former pastor of Loyall Church of God. He faces two counts of second-degree rape, two counts of second-degree sodomy, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor and one count of use of an electronic communications system to procure a minor for a sexual offense.
The charges stem from alleged incidents from May 2011.
According to the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, Caraway is scheduled to appear before Judge Robert McGinnis with his attorney Linda West. West has represented Caraway throughout most of the proceedings.
The alleged victim is a female who was under the age of 14 and attending Caraway’s church when the alleged incidents occurred. The evidence against Caraway includes Facebook and other electronic communication between Caraway and the minor, according to police.
Police also say the evidence indicates there was a relationship between the two, according to previous reports.
Caraway denied all charges in a previous Enterprise interview.
“The only time I ever touched her would be in prayer lines and altar calls, where I would pray with her as I pray with everybody else,” Caraway said in the interview.
Caraway did admit in the interview to texting and Facebook messaging. Caraway said he was only counseling the girl and that he discouraged communication of a sexual nature.
According to Caraway, police have misconstrued the communication between the two.
“I never dreamed that it would be taken in a matter where she would accuse me of this. I had been working with her through some issues that I didn’t want to disclose to her parents. I was just trying to get her to the point where she could talk to them.” said Caraway in a previous report.
Jury selection is scheduled for 9 a.m. this morning, with opening statements to follow.
The trial is expected to last approximately two days.
Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510, ext. 113, jasher@civitasmedia.com
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