Two arrested, charged for alleged sex abuse of a minor

A Knox County pair was arrested Wednesday, November 20, on charges of alleged sexual abuse of a minor, and one had added charges of possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. 

Knox County Sheriff Mike Smith, along with his deputies, arrested Gary W. Branson, 44, and Lacie K. Brown, 42, both of Flat Lick, Wednesday on a Knox County arrest warrant for Sodomy 1st Degree/Victim Under 12 Years of Age, Sexual Abuse 1st Degree/Victim Under 12 Years of Age and Use of a Minor in a Sexual Performance. The charges involved both of the accused in allegedly engaging in the acts with an 11-year-old minor at their Ky. 229 residence in Bailey Switch.

Before entering the Knox County Detention Center, Brown was asked numerous times if she had anything illegal hidden on her person to which she replied she did not. While being processed, a “meth” pipe and a plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine were found hidden on her person, leading to subsequent charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Promoting Contraband 1st Degree.

Branson and Brown were lodged in the Knox County Detention Center, where they are held on a $100,000 bond each.