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Ken Shadoan was cleared in Whitley County Circuit Court Tuesday on charges of first-degree sodomy and sexual misconduct. The judge found there was insufficient evidence to submit the first-degree sodomy charge to a jury and then the jury found Shadoan not guilty on the sexual misconduct charge.
Former NMS teacher acquitted
Sodomy, sexual misconduct charges against Shadoan dismissed
Somerset — When an adult student with the Upward Bound program accused Northern Middle School teacher Ken Shadoan of sodomizing him, Shadoan’s world was turned completely upside down.
He was fired from his job and, since last August, has spent his own money defending himself not to mention the hours in courtrooms.
On Tuesday, Shadoan was vindicated when all charges against him were dismissed.
“It was one person making an accusation. It makes you realize that it can happen to anyone,” Brenda Popplewell, Shadoan’s attorney, said after Whitley Circuit Court Judge Jerry Winchester tossed out the sodomy charge against Shadoan and a jury found him not guilty on a lesser count.
That’s not to say that Shadoan has been fully restored to his station before the charge. Today he is still without a job. Nevertheless, his attorney considers the court action to be a first step in getting his life back.
Following the judge’s ruling, the jury considered a sexual misconduct charge lodged against Shadoan and also found him to be not guilty.
To build their defense, Popplewell said they found every other person who was in the tent during the time Shadoan supposedly committed the crime and had them supeonaed to court. She said all of those people testified that the incident didn’t happen.
The accuser was a student in the Upward Bound program at Berea College and the group had gone on a camping trip to Cumberland Falls when the incident was alleged to have happened.
Popplewell added that though all evidence was contradictory to the one person accusing Shadoan of the crime he was still indicted.
“It’s troubling that Ken or anyone can be accused so easily,” said Popplewell.
Shadoan said he was totally shocked by the allegation and throughout the trying time has been grateful for all the support he has received.
“I’ve had a lot of teachers and firends who have contacted me and told me they had faith in me and couldn’t wait until it’s all over. I’ve had a lot of great support,” said Shadoan.
“Ms. Popplewell did an outstanding job in court and throughout the year. I was extremely lucky to get her as my attorney,” said Shadoan.
“I will be real glad to get my life started back and am thankful for those who stood by me.”
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LCADTF could lose big bucks
Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force officials estimate that the City of Somerset’s lack of involvement in the task force could lead to a loss of some $250,000 in federal funding per year — a chunk which could easily force the task force to close its doors.
David Keller, deputy director of Appalachia HIDTA, a major funding source for the local drug task force and the reason why federal and state law enforcement officers are able to be a part of the agency, says the agency’s current situation is more serious than many people realize.
Keller says HIDTA has made a “huge investment” in the LCADTF, but that folks shouldn’t get too comfortable with the agency’s ability to obtain grant money at the federal or state level.
“This is not entitlement money. ... Our grant is performance driven, and it’s sought after by competitive forces,” Keller said. “If this agency doesn’t produce, they stand a risk of not having the task force funded. That money will go someplace else — to another county that would love to have it.” -
HOME STRETCH
Less than a decade ago, Pleasant Hill was a pastoral community. Modern homes were tucked among shaded lawns. Cattle grazed peacefully at day and fireflies blinked in darkness. The area was served by a friendly little road called Clifty.
Things have changed and are changing. In a relatively few days, huge electric bulbs will glow, turning night forever into day. Horseless carriages will trek in places where tailpipes have belched never before. -
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