A 35-year-old Hinkle man is being held in the Whitley County Detention Center in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond over allegations that he illegally had sex in Whitley County with a girl, who was 12 years old when the relationship started but is now 13 years old, according to his arrest citation.
Judge Fred White entered a not guilty plea Monday for Timothy Adam Castle of Elm Creek Road during his Whitley County District Court arraignment on charges of second-degree rape (no force), second-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor (illegal sex act under 16 years old), procurement or promoting use of a minor by electronic means, distribution of obscene material to minors and first-degree persistent felony offender.
White appointed the public advocate’s office to represent Castle, scheduled a Dec. 29 preliminary hearing in his case, and ordered that he have no contact with the alleged victim, their residence or their place of employment, if he is released on bond.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Ridener arrested Castle about 1:18 p.m. Friday at a location about five miles north of Williamsburg after receiving a complaint that Castle was allegedly involved in a sexual relationship with a juvenile, according to the arrest citation.
The juvenile told police that she and Castle allegedly engaged in various types of sexual acts, including vaginal sex. The juvenile allegedly had video on her phone of Castle masturbating, Ridener wrote on the arrest citation.
During an interview with police, Castle allegedly admitted to digital penetration and sexual activity, according to the arrest citation.
Ridener also observed messages on the victim’s phone of Castle allegedly texting her and asking if they could meet up for sex. Castle also allegedly admitted to sending the video, which the victim had on her phone, the citation stated.
Ridener is continuing the investigation.
Castle is also a convicted felon with a felony conviction in Knox County, according to his arrest citation.
The Timothy Adam Castle listed in the Knox County case has the same date of birth and address as the Timothy Adam Castle listed in the Whitley County rape case, according to a News Journal analysis of the court cases.
Castle was indicted in the Knox County case on Aug. 23, 2024, on charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), drug paraphernalia, careless driving and possession of marijuana.
Castle pleaded guilty to the Knox County first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and drug paraphernalia charges on Dec. 16, 2024, and received a total sentence of three years probation. His plea agreement also called for him to complete an inpatient drug treatment program, according to Knox County court records.
As part of the plea agreement, the careless driving and possession of marijuana charges were dismissed.
As of 7 p.m. Monday, Castle remained incarcerated in the Whitley County Detention Center.
