Smiths Grove man arrested on sexual abuse charge involving juvenile

SMITHS GROVE, Ky. – A Smiths Grove man has been charged with sexual abuse involving a juvenile.

According to a uniform citation, the Bowling Green Police Department responded Monday to a delayed sexual offense report.

Police say the caller stated a male subject, 71-year-old Raymond Harp of Smiths Grove, grabbed her juvenile daughter by the arm and kissed the juvenile’s neck earlier that day at a store.

Police say the juvenile got away from Harp and ran to her mother.

With assistance from the Kentucky State Police, authorities say Harp was located at his residence. He was then transported to BGPD headquarters, where police say he admitted to kissing the juvenile and making statements to her, including calling her a “sexy girl.”

Authorities say upon searching Harp’s phone, they located search history regarding “teens looking for sex.” When asked what he considered a teen to be, authorities say Harp stated it was “anyone from 10 to 17 years old.”

Harp was arrested and transported to the Warren County Regional Jail.

He faces a charge of first-degree sexual abuse.