Harlan County Man Charged for Rape and Assault with Unlawful Imprisonment

From WRIL - The Big One -

Mark Poteet - HCDC

On Saturday June 13, 2026, Post 10 received a call from Harlan ARH Hospital regarding a female patient who wished to report a sexual assault. Responding was Trooper Abner.

The victim told the trooper that she recently met an individual identified as 39-year-old Mark Poteet of Evarts, Ky. The victim also states she went on two dates with Poteet and later traveled to his home. She stated that at one point she began to feel uncomfortable and attempted to leave, but Poteet insisted that she stay, physically forcing her into the bedroom, forcefully removing her clothing.

The victim repeatedly told Poteet "no" and he struck her across the face telling her to “shut up.” He then proceeded to sexually assault her, ignoring her telling him to stop. She stated that after the first assault, Poteet hid her clothing so she could not leave his residence. He then repeated the sexual assault a second time and afterward returned her clothing stating “you’re free to leave.”

Mark Poteet was arrested on Wednesday, June 24th and lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center, charged with rape – 1st degree with serious physical injury, unlawful imprisonment – 1st degree, and he was served a failure to appear warrant.