A local man, who was a Tompkinsville Police Officer at the time of the accusation, was found guilty of first degree sexual abuse and incest after a jury trial on July 23-24. Darrell Ford, 59, of Tompkinsville, had originally been charged with sodomy in the first degree, incest (forcible compulsion/incapable of consent or under 18) and sexual abuse in the first degree (victim under the age of 12) after the August 2009 incident.

Ford, who was placed on administrative leave by the city during the investigation, had been employed as a city police officer and dispatcher for several years.

The accuser in the case was his biological daughter who was 13 years old at the time of the incident and was on a visit with Ford at his home in Tompkinsville.

After the jury’s deliberation, Ford was found guilty on the remaining two charges. Ford’s family pointed out that the case would be appealed and they felt comfortable that the verdict would be overturned.

After returning with a guilty verdict on the charges of incest and sexual assault, the jury recommended sentencing of 10 years on the charge of incest and one year on the charge of sexual assault to run concurrently. Final sentencing will occur at a later date.