Spruce Pine man indicted on sex abuse charges

A Spruce Pine man who was arrested in October after being accused of sexually abusing a young child was indicted by a recent grand jury, officials said.

Freddy Hovater, 71, 110 Iris Lane, Spruce Pine, was indicted by the March grand jury for sexual torture of a child less than 12 years old, sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old and enticing a child to enter for immoral purposes, Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, Hovater was accused of sexually abusing a female victim using objects such as the wooden handle of a bell and a vibrator.

Reports indicate he is also accused of watching her take baths.

Oliver said the abuse had allegedly taken place for a year before it was reported to authorities.

The abuse reportedly took place at Hovater’s home when the girl was there visiting, Oliver said.

The victim was reportedly a family acquaintance.

Rushing said Hovater’s case would be placed on the May arraignment docket and would be placed on the criminal trial docket as early as June.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x