Ashland man arraigned on sexually abusing children

Nov. 19—CATLETTSBURG — An Ashland man was arraigned on charges stemming from the alleged sexual abuse of two minors on Thursday in Boyd County Circuit Court.

Michael Poe, 27, was formally indicted by a grand jury in August, accusing him of molesting two children under the age of 12 in January 2022.

Due to the nature of charges and juvenile victims, details in the indictment are limited.

However, Kentucky's statute on sexual abuse of a minor requires any sexual contact of a child's "intimate parts."

Poe's attorney, Sebastian Joy, was not present on Thursday for Poe's initial circuit court appearance, but Andy Markelonis appeared on Poe's behalf.

Markelonis waived Poe's formal reading of his two counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a child aged 12 or under and entered a not guilty plea to both charges on Poe's behalf.

In bond discussions, Poe's risk assessment numbers were reported as low, however Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Kierston Rosen said while she acknowledged the low risk, she requested the bond remain as set due to the nature of the charges.

Boyd Circuit Judge John Vincent sided with Rosen based on the nature of the alleged crime and potential danger to the community, specifically against children.

At this time of writing, Poe is held in the Boyd County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.

Poe will reappear on Nov. 30 to establish a date for a bond hearing.

He faces up to 10 years per count, if convicted.

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