Former Murray police sergeant indicted on additional sex offense charges in Trigg County

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CADIZ, Ky., (KBSI) — A former Murray police sergeant already facing dozens of sex offense charges has been indicted on additional charges in Trigg County, according to Kentucky State Police.

The Trigg County grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against 44-year-old Justin Swope of Almo on July 13 following an ongoing Kentucky State Police investigation into allegations of sexual abuse.

According to KSP, the indictment includes:

• One count of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor involving an illegal sex act with a person younger than 16.
• Three counts of third-degree sodomy.
• One count of third-degree rape.
• Three counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

A warrant was issued and served on Swope on July 14. He remains incarcerated at the Marshall County Detention Center.

The new indictment follows a separate 30-count indictment returned by a Calloway County grand jury on June 26. In that case, Swope was charged with one count of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor involving an illegal sex act with a person younger than 16, one count of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor involving an illegal sex act with a person younger than 18, 11 counts of promoting a sexual performance by a minor, four counts of third-degree sodomy, 11 counts of third-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

Kentucky State Police began investigating Swope on May 19 after the Murray Police Department requested the agency investigate allegations against one of its officers.

Investigators said Swope, who was a detective sergeant with the department, met the victim in his official capacity in 2018 when she was 15 years old. Detectives alleged the victim reported multiple sexual encounters with Swope while she was a juvenile.

Swope was arrested May 20 on initial charges in both Calloway and Trigg counties and later resigned from the Murray Police Department.

The investigation remains ongoing.