A 73-year-old man was indicted last week on charges of statutoryrape and sexual molestation of two 10- to 12-year-old girls, aLawrence County Sheriff’s Department spokesman said.

Oliver Gene Hearn, 73, of 17 Jim Hearn Lane, was charged inSeptember with two counts of statutory rape and three counts ofsexual molestation. He was indicted Dec. 13. Hearn remains in thecustody of the Lawrence County Jail with a $140,000 bond.

Hearn was arrested in response to a complaint, and charges werefiled after sheriff’s department investigators questioned him andthe girls who were allegedly raped, said Sheriff Joel Thamessaid.

It is the policy of The DAILY LEADER not to identify thosealleging rape.

A trial date has not yet been set, Thames said.