Carmen J. Cherry

A Bowling Green teenager accused of sexually abusing an underage relative was found competent by a judge Monday to stand trial.

Carmen Jared Cherry, 19, appeared in Warren Circuit Court for a competency hearing in his case, in which he is accused of incest, second-degree rape, second-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor.

Cherry was arrested July 12 following an investigation by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

According to sheriff’s office records, the alleged victim told a forensic interviewer at the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center that Cherry sexually assaulted her multiple times over the span of a few years when she and her family visited his home. She said Cherry threatened that he would not let her out of the room unless she did what he wanted her to do.

Cherry told WCSO investigators that he asked the girl during a visit in June if she wanted to engage in sex and she said she didn’t care, according to records. Cherry also told investigators that he spoke with the girl the following day and they discussed what happened and he apologized.

The child’s parents told investigators the child disclosed that the first incident occurred just before she began fourth grade and the incidents occurred when others were sleeping, according to sheriff’s office records.

At the hearing on Monday, testimony was given over the phone by Dr. Steve Sparks, who conducted a psychiatric evaluation of Cherry while he was in custody at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center.

Sparks testified that his evaluation of Cherry led him to conclude that Cherry was capable of understanding the charges against him and their potential legal consequences and of assisting himself in his own defense.

Warren County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Daniel “Tres” Miller asked Sparks about his report, in which it had been documented that Cherry had reported having hallucinations before being seen by KCPC.

“(Cherry) reported he had, for lack of a better word, an imaginary friend named ‘Steven’ that would speak with him,” Sparks said.

Further testing determined that Cherry had been “exaggerating” his hallucinations and he expressed no behavior consistent with schizophrenia or another mental disorder that would have required treatment, according to Sparks.

“Even if the hallucinations were present they would not impede his ability to understand the case and understand the court system in general,” Sparks said.

Warren Circuit Judge John Grise ruled that Cherry was competent to stand trial.

Cherry remains in Warren County Regional Jail under a $25,000 cash bond. He is set to return to court Jan. 23 for a pretrial conference.

— Follow courts reporter Justin Story on Twitter @jstorydailynews or visit bgdailynews.com.