A Corbin man accused of attempting to kidnap a three-year-old from his yard made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on Monday.
Ronnie L. Helton, 73, pleaded not guilty to the charge at his arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hanly A. Ingram.
Ingram appointed attorney Kelly Ridings of Hamm, Milby and Ridings to represent Helton in the case.
Ingram assigned the case for a jury trial to begin on July 27.
U.S. District Court Judge Claria H. Boom will preside.
Finally, Ingram ordered that Helton be detained pending further orders of the court.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment against Helton on April 26.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Ronnie L. Helton, 73, on Thursday.
According to the indictment, Helton is accused of using a means, facility, and instrumentality of interstate commerce, specifically at red Pontiac sedan, in the furtherance of the commission of the crime of attempted kidnapping.
Helton faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if found guilty.
Helton is currently being held in the Whitley County Detention Center on state charges of attempted kidnapping, and human trafficking – victim under 18 years of age.
Under Kentucky law, each charge is a class “C” felony carrying a potential prison sentence of five to ten years.
Officers with the Corbin Police Department delivered toys to 10 houses and over 30 children on Dec. 16.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, officers were unable to participate in the Shop with a Cop event as usual. The unusual circumstances caused the officers to improvise and thus Operation Save Christmas was born.
The project was coordinated by Corporal Steve Meadors. Patrolmen Lonnie Sawyers, Brentley Patrick, and Justin Walker along with School Resource Officer Mike Taylor delivered the gifts.
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