Perry County Man Convicted of Child Sex Crimes, Faces Three Life Sentences

A Perry County Circuit Judge sentenced Harrison Cress, 58, of Hazard, to three life sentences without the possibility of parole for sexually assaulting multiple children, closing a case that began when one of his victims found the courage to tell her grandmother what had been done to her.

A jury found Cress guilty in October on two counts of sodomy in the first degree of a child under the age of 12, one count of incest of a child under the age of 12, and three counts of sexual assault in the first degree of a child under the age of 12. The sodomy and incest charges are Class A felonies under Kentucky law; the sexual abuse counts are Class C felonies. Because of the heinous nature of the crimes, the jury recommended three life sentences, and on Thursday the circuit judge adopted that recommendation.

Investigators determined that Cress groomed multiple children by giving them gifts, attention and special privileges in order to gain their trust before exploiting and abusing them. The abuse came to light after one of the victims reported the conduct to her grandmother. An investigation then began, involving the Children's Advocacy Centers in Ashland and Hazard interviewing multiple child victims, and those interviews helped lead to Cress's arrest.

The Kentucky State Police investigated the case with support from the Perry County Sheriff's Office. Assistant Attorneys General Barbara Whaley and Tony Skeans prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. McCall Allen with the Attorney General's Office of Victim's Advocacy provided services to the victims. The conviction was secured by the Attorney General's Special Prosecutions Unit.

Attorney General Russell Coleman credited the children themselves for making the prosecution possible. "These brave kids spoke up about their abuse, and their guardians believed them and then took action. Crimes like this happen in communities across Kentucky, and I encourage every adult to know the signs and how to report it," Coleman said.

Anyone wishing to report suspected child abuse or neglect in Kentucky can call 877-597-2331 or 877-KYSAFE1. Information about Children's Advocacy Centers, including locations in Ashland and Hazard, is available through the Kentucky Attorney General's Office.