Jury recommends life sentence for man in child sex abuse case
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A jury is recommending a life sentence for a man in a reported sexual abuse case involving a child.
According to the Office of Attorney General Russell Coleman, following a two-day jury trial, 27-year-old Preston Coffey now faces a potential life sentence after being found guilty of first-degree rape, victim under 12, and first-degree sex abuse, victim under 12.
Officials say Whitley County jurors recommended a life sentence for Coffey.
Starting in 2024, the attorney general’s office says Coffey “groomed and sexually assaulted a 9-year-old child.” Officials say Coffey was “supposed to be a caregiver for the child during this time.”
“When a predator harms one of our most vulnerable, it is our job to incapacitate them as long as the law permits; full stop,” Coleman said. “I’m proud of our partnership with Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling in prosecuting this case and protecting Kentucky kids.”
The Kentucky State Police investigated the case.
The recommended sentence would require Coffey to serve 20 years before he is eligible for parole. Coffey will be sentenced October 5, 2026.
