Man sentenced in domestic violence case at Mammoth Cave National Park

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A Bowling Green man has been sentenced following a reported domestic assault at Mammoth Cave National Park.

According to a release by the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Kentucky, Rakan F. Elsalem, 40, of Bowling Green was sentenced Tuesday to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Officials say Elsalem was sentenced for committing a domestic assault as a habitual offender within Mammoth Cave National Park.

The incident took place on May 1, 2023. Officials say Mammoth Cave National Park is a place within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

The release states during the time Elsalem committed the domestic assault, he already had two prior convictions for offenses that would have been, if subject to federal jurisdiction, an assault against a spouse or intimate partner.

Officials say these included convictions of fourth-degree assault in September 2020 and in January 2022 in Warren District Court.

There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers.