SALYERSVILLE – A Magoffin County couple appeared in court on Thursday, pleading not guilty to charges related to sexual abuse of a minor.
On November 16, Matthew Tackett, 42, of Twin Lick Road in Salyersville, pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree sodomy, victim under 12 years of age (Class A felonies); first-degree rape, victim under 12 years of age (Class A felony); and four counts of first-degree sexual abuse, victim under 12 years of age (Class C felonies).
According to the indictment issued on November 2, on or about February 12, 2018, through February 11, 2020, Tackett allegedly engaged in deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 12 years of age at least twice, engaged in sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion with a person less than 12 years of age, and subjected a person to sexual contact at least four times who was incapable of consent because the child is less than 12 years old.
Tackett’s wife, Ashley Tackett, 39, also pleaded not guilty to the charge of complicity of first-degree sexual abuse, victim under 12 years of age (Class C felony). According to the indictment, on or about February 12, 2018, through February 11, 2020, Ashley Tackett allegedly acted in complicity with Matthew Tackett, when he allegedly subjected another person who is less than 12 years old to sexual contact.
After the indictments were released, Ashley was given a summons to court at the request of the Commonwealth, and Matthew was issued a warrant. The warrant was served on November 3 and he was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. He was released on a $100,000 cash bond, paid by Ashley Tackett, six hours later, according to jail records.
The two are scheduled for a pretrial conference on February 19, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Magoffin County Justice Center, and are required to report to pretrial services for drug testing, etc.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Veronica
February 28, 2024 at 12:59 am
These people are sick! The preacher is trying to convince the congregation that it’s the kids and parents fault. He is standing in church it appears almost every service telling these people that the kid is a liar and they have no proof! Well just know they had evidence or they could not have arrested him. Preacher probably should preach more of God’s word and leave the rest to the judges and jury!