Kentucky State Police opened an investigation into the allegations against Deputy James Steven Oakley of Benton on May 14th at the request of the Marshall County Sheriff's Office. Oakley was accused of sending the inappropriate messages to female Marshall County High School students. Following what was described as a thorough investigation, the case was brought before a Marshall County Grand Jury on Friday. That Grand Jury indicted Oakley on a harassment charge.
The 47-year-old Oakley was served that indictment summons on Monday.
Oakley retired from the Marshall County Sheriff's Office in 2020 after 20 years with the agency. He was rehired in 2022 as a School Resource Officer.
Monday night, Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hilbrecht released a statement acknowledging the indictment of Oakley but cited Kentucky law for prohibiting the release of internal investigations until after the court and appeals process runs its course.
