LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Jefferson County jury has charged a Kentucky man with more than a dozen felonies for sexually assaulting three children in 2021.
On Monday, prosecutors said John Wayne Taylor is facing 19 felony charges including three counts of first-degree sodomy, one count of first-degree rape, three counts of promoting a sexual performance by a minor, six counts of first-degree sex abuse (victim less than 12), three counts of first-degree sex abuse (victim less than 16), and three counts of distribution of obscene matter to minors.
“Taylor was found to have committed some of the most heinous acts against young people, children whom he trusted to care for,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina Whethers said. “He has no business being in our community any longer.”
The jury heard witness testimony and evidence that Taylor sexually assaulted the three children, who were 11, 10 and 8 at the time, on or between Jan. 1, 2021, and July 31, 2021.
Prosecutors said he was romantically involved with the victims’ mother and would babysit the children while she worked. In April 2023, all three victims were forensically interviewed and said Taylor had sexually abused them.
The jury recommended a sentence of 35 years in prison.
"We appreciate that the jury not only found him responsible for the abuse of these children, but also recommended a sentence that will keep him away from any children for a very long time," Whethers said.
Taylor will be back in court for sentencing on Sept. 23.
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