Elderly man indicted for sexually abusing sisters in 1980s, ’90s

A Whitley County Grand Jury has accused a Corbin man of sexually assaulting two young girls in the mid-1980s and the early 1990s.

Monday morning the Whitley County Grand Jury issued its monthly report and charged Carl Johnson, 86, with six counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

Judge Paul Winchester issued a bench warrant for his arrest Monday afternoon.

On July 27, 1985, May 8, 1988 and April 22, 1989, Johnson allegedly had sexual contact with a female less than 12 years old, according to the first three counts of his indictment.

On June 2, 1985, Feb. 27, 1990 and Jan. 19, 1992, he allegedly had sexual contact with a female less than 12 years old, according to the last three counts of his indictment.

The two victims in the case are now in their early to mid-30s, according to the indictment.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble said that the two victims were sisters, who came forth together.

Johnson is related to the two victims, Trimble said.

If convicted, Johnson could receive up to five years in prison on each count.

In addition, the grand jury issued a rape indictment against a local man Monday, who already has a rape case pending.

The grand jury indicted James Setser, 29, for second-degree rape and first-degree persistent felony offender.

On Aug. 4, 2013, Setser allegedly had sexual intercourse with a female less than 14 years old.

Trimble said that the persistent felony offender charge elevates the potential punishment that Setser is facing from a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison up to life in prison.

Setser pled not guilty to the charges during his arraignment Monday afternoon. Winchester scheduled an April 7 pretrial conference in his case.

On Feb. 13, 2012, a Whitley County Grand Jury indicted Setser for third-degree rape and first-degree persistent felony offender.

On May 7, 2011, Setser alleged engaged in sexual intercourse with a woman, who was incapable of consent because she is mentally challenged, according to the indictment.

He has a May 13 pretrial conference scheduled in that case before Circuit Judge Dan Ballou.

Setser has prior felony convictions for second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and theft by unlawful taking in Knox Circuit Court, according to his indictments.