Mayfield, Ky.–A Graves County man was convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse of a child at the conclusion of a jury trial and the jury has recommended five life sentences.
Bobby Anderson was convicted on 18 charges ranging from incest, sodomy, and sexual abuse of a child.
The following is the press release from the Graves County Commonwealth Attorney’s office:
The jury trial began on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. It concluded Monday, May 1, 2023. The jury found Anderson guilty on all Counts. Hon. Tyler Gill, Special Judge, presided over the trial. Anderson will be formally sentenced on Thursday, August 3, 2023.
Anderson’s Convictions and Sentences:
1. Unlawful Transaction with a Minor, Victim Under 16, PFO Enhanced: Life
2. Unlawful Transaction with a Minor, Victim Under 16, PFO Enhanced: Life
3. Incest, Victim Under 18, PFO Enhanced: Life
4. Incest, Victim Under 18, PFO Enhanced: Life
5. Incest, Victim Under 18, PFO Enhanced: Life
6. Sodomy, 3rd Degree, PFO Enhanced: 10 years
7. Sodomy, 3rd Degree, PFO Enhanced: 10 years
8. Rape, 3rd Degree, PFO Enhanced: 10 years
9. Sexual Abuse, 1st Degree, PFO Enhanced: 10 years
10. Sexual Abuse, 1st Degree, PFO Enhanced: 10 years
11. Sexual Abuse, 1st Degree, PFO Enhanced: 10 years
12. Sexual Abuse, 1st Degree, PFO Enhanced: 10 years
13. Sexual Abuse, 1st Degree, PFO Enhanced: 10 years
14. Sexual Abuse, 1st Degree, PFO Enhanced: 10 years
15. Sexual Abuse, 1st Degree, PFO Enhanced: 10 years
16. Sexual Abuse, 1st Degree, PFO Enhanced: 10 years
17. Attempted Rape, 3rd Degree: 12 months
18. Persistent Felony Offender, 2nd Degree
THE CASE
For more than 4 years, from December 2010 through June 2014, Anderson repeatedly sexually abused the victim in this case. The victim was around 12 years old when the abuse began and 15 years old when it ended. She reported the abuse to an adult in June 2014. That adult contacted the Kentucky State Police (hereinafter “KSP”) and KSP immediately launched an investigation. While that investigation was pending, Anderson lost access to the victim. Soon after losing access to the victim, Anderson sexually abused another child, of similar age and appearance as the first victim, in a strikingly similar manner. The jury heard testimony from both victims. After four days of trial, testimony from several witnesses, including Anderson, the jury returned a verdict finding Anderson guilty on all counts.
During the penalty phase, the jury learned that Anderson had 2 prior Kentucky felony convictions and 1 prior federal felony conviction. The first victim delivered powerful testimony about how the trauma Anderson inflicted on her continues to impact her in a variety of ways and on a daily basis. The penalty phase resulted in Anderson’s conviction for being a Persistent Felony Offender, 2nd Degree, thereby increasing the penalty range for each conviction by one level. Most significantly, the penalty ranges for the Defendant’s 5 Class B Felony convictions (10 to 20 years) were increased to Class A penalty ranges (20 to 50 years or Life). The jury delivered the maximum penalty allowed by law for all of Anderson’s crimes.
In Kentucky, no sentence can run consecutive to a Life sentence. On August 3, 2023, Anderson will be sentenced to Life. He will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years, if he has completed the mandatory Sex Offender Treatment Program.
TEAM EFFORT
The lead prosecutors on the case were:
*Richie Kemp, Commonwealth’s Attorney, and
*Grace Stewart, Asst. Commonwealth’s Attorney and Head of the Vulnerable Victim Unit.
In the Graves County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office also deserving of recognition are (in no particular order): Erin Fleischmann, Asst. Commonwealth’s Attorney; JJ Beasley, Asst. Commonwealth’s Attorney; Det. Wade Heatherly, Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office Detective; Lisa Adams, Victim’s Advocate; Denise Brazzell, Victim’s Advocate; Tess Williamson, Administrative Assistant; and Grace Copeland, Administrative.
Our Office also wishes to thank and acknowledge the jury for their attentiveness, their thoughtful deliberations, and their verdict. Cases such as these are very difficult to serve on for jurors and our justice system does not work without individuals willing to perform this valuable civic duty. Thank you for the hard work and dedication of KSP Troopers Tony Cornwell, Derral Redwine, Adam Mattingly, and Paul Berhow. Tracy Simmons, Dept. of Community Based Services, and Nichole Wadley, Forensic Interviewer at Lotus, were excellent in the investigation of these crimes and in testifying at trial. Graves County’s Multi-Disciplinary Team, and especially Lotus, are always a great help in these cases. Thank you also to Ronnie Davis, Kentucky Probation and Parole, and Mark Walker, Federal Probation and Parole. Holly Seaton, and the entirety of the courtroom security team provided by Graves County Sheriff’s Office, did an excellent job providing security.
HEALING
The entire Graves County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office continues to be impressed with both of the victims in this case. Due to the pandemic, the December 10, 2021 tornado, and various other factors, the victims had to wait far too long to receive justice. The victims have grown into young mothers with very bright futures. There is nothing they cannot accomplish. The first victim recently said the following: “These last 9-10 years have been filled with mixed emotions & I’m finally excited to say TODAY I RECEIVED JUSTICE & HE RECEIVED 5 LIFE SENTENCES … please please protect your babies, day & night. Listen to them.”
If you suspect a child may be the victim of abuse, sexual or otherwise, do not hesitate to report your suspicions to law enforcement.