Early Wednesday morning, Elizabethtown Police Department Detectives began a sexual abuse investigation involving the possible molestation of an eight-year-old girl.
Police identified the suspect as 35-year-old Joseph Sweat, of Elizabethtown, who is a friend of the little girl’s family. The investigation revealed that on several occasions, “Sweat fondled the juvenile victim in her private areas and also compelled her to reciprocate,” police said.
Sweat’s arrest citation states that, “During the forensic interview, (the) victim advised the touching happened multiple times, (but) specifically stated that on December 28 while at a sleepover at Sweat’s residence … Sweat got into the bunk-bed with a blanket covering them while he rubbed” her private area “under her clothing.”
Police said during the interview the victim “made gestures indicating the way Sweat touched her.”
Detectives arrested and charged Sweat with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse first degree of a child under the age of 12.
According to LaRue County Schools Superintendent Sam Sanders, Sweat is a computer technician for the school district, and has an office at LaRue County High School. Sweat has only been employed by the district since November 27, 2017, according to Sanders.
Sweat has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
He is being held in the Hardin County Detention Center.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
