Grayson Co. man formally sentenced for raping, sodomizing young child

A Grayson County judge has sentenced a child rapist from Big Clifty to life in prison.

Michael Dodson, 64, was found guilty in a Grayson County courtroom on April 30, 2024, of first-degree rape (victim under the age of 12), first-degree sodomy (victim under the age of 12) and first-degree sexual abuse (victim under the age of 12).

The jury, on the day Dodson was found guilty, recommended a life sentence on the first-degree rape charge, 25 years on the first-degree sodomy count and 10 years on the first-degree sexual abuse charge. The jury also called for Dodson to serve the sentences consecutively, one after the other, for a total sentence of life plus 35 years.

District Court Judge Kenneth H. Goff II last week followed the jury’s recommendation in sentencing Dodson, except, citing precedent (Bedell vs Commonwealth, 870 S.W. 2d 779 at 783), he ruled the sentences shall run concurrently “for a total sentence of life,” according to the sentencing document.

Dodson raped and sodomized a five-year-old girl multiple times between May 1, 2022, and May 20, 2022.

He was indicted on the charges in March 2023.

The case was prosecuted by Grayson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Hardin. Kentucky State Police Det. James Gaither investigated the case.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com