Gartin eligible for parole in September

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

LOUISA — An Ashland man convicted Oct. 2, 2019, of multiple sex offenses involving a juvenile in Lawrence County is eligible for parole in September, according to information released by the 24th Judicial Circuit Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.

James F. Gartin, 57, was found guilty of first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree sodomy and sentenced in September 2019 to serve the maximum of 70 years, although the Lawrence County jury that convicted him recommended he serve 110 years.

Gartin was on supervised release from a previous prosecution for second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor from Greenup County that had been amended from allegations of first-degree sexual abuse.

Gartin was indicted in Lawrence County for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse and deviate sexual intercourse with a victim under the age of 12 two or more times between Jan. 13, 2016, and Jan. 13, 2017. He is also a previously convicted felon.

Gartin was charged in Greenup County in 2013 with two counts of first-degree sex abuse, which was amended down to second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor on Oct. 9, 2014, at which time he was sentenced to supervised release with conditions that he make no contact with the victim nor the family.

His five-year supervision began Oct. 10, 2014, and was scheduled to end Oct. 9, 2019, but the Office of Probation and Parole filed a probation violation charge.

Gartin was located and arrested Jan. 29, 2017, in the Yellow Creek area of Lawrence County, without incident and transported to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Johnson County.

According to a press release issued at the time by Kentucky State Police, “It was reported that Gartin became a friend of the family and was able to gain access to the juvenile. Over an extended period of time, Gartin engaged in sexual intercourse and sodomy with the juvenile. During the course of the investigation, evidence was obtained resulting in arrest warrants being issued for his arrest.”