Three men, all from three separate Kentucky counties, were recently arrested in connection with an alleged sexual assault last month at Hazard, KY. hospital in Perry County.
According to arrest warrants taken out by Hazard Police Department officer Parker Hignite, the legal documents stated that on Sunday, November 12, three Hazard-Appalachian Regional Hospital (Hazard ARH) male patients, who were identfied in the warrants as Marlin R. Evans, 27, of The Landing Lane, in Prestonsburg, KY., (Floyd County), Crofus L. Owens, 24, of Open Fork, in Pikeville, KY., (Pike County) and Doyle Standafer, 35, of Amburgey Road, in Hindman, KY., (Knott County), allegedly committed sexual acts against a female patient who did not have power of attorney over herself and was incapable of giving consent.
Officer Hignite stated in remarks to the Hazard Herald newspaper that the Hazard Police Department launched the sexual assault investigation after being contacted by ARH officials.
“ARH called us that evening and said there had been a sexual assault that took place at the hospital and they cooperated with us as they could without violating any HIPAA (regulations),” officer Paarker Hignite said. “Through the investigation they were able to assist and provide the information I needed on everyone involved, along with the camera footage they were able to hand it over after being delivered a subpoena.”
Officer Hignite said the sex crime incident remains under police investigation.
ARH officials said in an official released statement that their hospital organization is cooperating with the Hazard Police Department.
“Protecting the safety and well-being of all those within our facilities is a top priority at ARH each day,” the statement said. “Upon learning of the alleged incident, staff reported it to the Hazard Police Department and have fully cooperated with the authorities in this investigation. Due to the nature of the alleged incident and the ongoing criminal investigation, we cannot provide further comment. All additional questions should be directed to the Hazard Police Department.”
Marlin Evans was charged with *Second-Degree Rape (No Force); Crofus Owens was charged with *Second-Degree Sodomy. Doyle Standafer was originally also charged with second-degree sodomy; however, Perry County court documents show that the charge was later amended to *Second-Degree Rape (No Force).
According to Perry County court documents, all three men named in the three sex crime cases were bound over to be heard by a Perry County grand jury for possible indictments.
Even though all three men were arrested on their charges late last month and taken to the jail, the Kentucky River Regional Jail in Hazard, KY. no longer publicly releases the mugshot photos of those arrested and brought to be lodged at that jail.
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