From the Middlesboro Police Department -
On Monday, April 17, 2023, a month-long investigation in sexual offenses involving minor child was brought to a close. Middlesboro Officer Marti Messer has charged 59-year-old Russell Overton of Claiborne County with two counts of unlawful transaction with a minor (illegal sex act) victims under the age of 16.
Officer Messer states that the two victims in this case reported that Overton had made them perform sex acts upon each other. The initial incident was reported to her on March 7, 2023.
Over the course of the investigation, Officer Messer determined there was enough probable cause to seek a warrant and subsequent extradition through Bell County Attorney Chris Douglas and Commonwealth Attorney Lisa Fugate respectively.
Overton was entered into NCIC as wanted and taken into custody by Claiborne County Sheriff Bob Brooks and his deputies in Tennessee. The Middlesboro Police Department thanks CCSO for their assistance in this arrest.
According to KRS 530.064 Unlawful transaction with a minor - 1st degree in this case is defined as:
A person being guilty of the offense when he or she knowingly induces, assists, or causes a minor to engage in (a) illegal sexual activity.
The act is a (b) Class B felony if the minor so used is less that sixteen (16) years old at the time the minor engages in the prohibited activity.