Floyd County School Employee Indicted on Rape and Sodomy Charges

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

PRESTONSBURG — A Floyd County School District employee has been indicted on rape and sodomy charges.

John Martin, of Drift, is indicted for first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy and according to the indictment, Martin committed the offenses between August 1995 and June 1997.

The Floyd County School District issued a statement regarding Martin’s employment at the school district.

“The Floyd County School District is aware of a criminal indictment against a district employee concerning a 1995 matter. Upon first notice of this matter the district took immediate steps to ensure that students were safe and the employee was placed into a position where he would not be working with, or around, district students. The District takes allegations of wrongdoing very seriously and has cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation of these claims while balancing the safety and wellbeing of our students with the legal rights of the employee. We will continue to prioritize the safety of our students and staff throughout these proceedings. Due to the ongoing nature of these proceedings, the District cannot comment on specific allegations or personnel matters.”

Jonathan Shaw, who is legally representing Floyd County Schools said in a statement that, “Public employees, just like any other citizens, are entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence. As a public employer, the District is not permitted to take disciplinary action against an employee solely because they’ve been charged with a crime. Public employees have constitutional and statutorily protected property interests in their employment and may generally only be dismissed “for cause” and only after being afforded due process protections. The District can temporarily transfer an employer who is facing criminal charges into a position where they do not have contact with students, and the District has taken that step.The District otherwise cannot comment on individual personnel matters.”

(Note: An indictment is not an indication of guilt but a determination by a grand jury that criminal charges warrant further judicial review.)