Two former law enforcement officers accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with a minor were indicted by the Meade County Grand Jury.
Charges against former Kentucky State Trooper Stratford Young and former Brandenburg City Police Officer Todd Matti were presented by Jefferson County Assistant Commonwealth Attorneys Sara Farmer and Bill Burt and Jefferson County Commonwealth Attorney Thomas Wine.
"It's disappointing for several families for our agency, for the state of Kentucky," Kentucky State Police Public Affairs Officer, Jeff Gregory said.
Stratford Young, 33, and Todd Matti, 44, face two counts of Sodomy in the Third Degree against a 15-year-oldgirl. Matti's charges date back to November, 2012. Young also charged with Rape in the Third Degree. His alleged encounters with the teen date back from May to July, 2013. They both plead not guilty.
"When I heard it was Stratford, I couldn't believe it," Wesley Veatch, a Brandenburg resident told WAVE 3 News.
News of the indictments spread around town- a Kentucky State Police Trooper fired from the job he was respected for.
"He's one of the most decorated officers that I've heard, I would have never thought he'd done something like that," Veatch said.
Todd Matti resigned as a Brandenburg Police officer. We interviewed him last May for saving a teen's life.
"I didn't realize how much recognition we'd get, but it's humbling," Matti said back then.
Both men walked away from our camera after the hearing. Two other officers have also been accused. Their cases were not presented Monday....prosecutors told us that was to avoid jeopardizing the evidence they say they have against Matti and Young.
"You hate to uh, see anything of this nature come about, but we'll just fall back and let the court system do what it's supposed to do," Gregory said.
The two men paid $1,000 towards their bond. Their next court date is May 22nd.
Sgt. Rick St. Blanchard, a spokesperson for KSP headquarters, confirmed Young was terminated from the Elizabeth town post on September 13, 2013 after the investigation was launched concerning accusations of inappropriate behavior involving a 15-year-old girl.
Matti, who was awarded by the Army for his role in saving the life of a teenager in May 2013, resigned from his position in October 2013 after the investigation came to light.
Young was charged with rape and two counts of sodomy. Matti is charged with two counts of sodomy.
Young and Matti are not currently in custody. Both their cases are scheduled for a pretrial conference May 22 in Meade County.
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