Clinton Co. man arrested on indictment warrant on incest, rape charges

ALBANY, Ky. – An Albany, Kentucky man has been arrested on charges involving a sexual abuse investigation.

According to court records, 62-year-old James Shelton of Albany was arrested on an indictment warrant on Thursday, Oct. 9.

Court records state an indictment was filed the same day, formally charging Shelton with human trafficking – forced labor, first-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse, three counts of incest and two counts of first-degree rape.

Previously, News 40 reported on a separate arrest of Shelton in June, which involved a sexual abuse investigation dating back to 1999.

The Kentucky State Police stated that during that year, a KSP trooper received a report that Shelton was “sexually abusing his juvenile daughter.” Due to a lack of evidence, authorities say, that investigation “turned cold.”

In June 2025, the Kentucky State Police says a trooper obtained new details that renewed that investigation, leading to the June 2025 arrest of Shelton.

As a result of that investigation, Shelton was charged with 34 counts of first-degree sexual abuse – victim under 12 and 20 counts of first-degree sodomy – victim under 12.

At that time, authorities stated additional charges were possible for Shelton.

News 40 will release additional details as they become available.