FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 16, 2026) – Attorney General Russell Coleman announced today a guilty verdict following a four-day jury trial for a Lexington man who preyed on a young girl.
A Fayette County jury found Ronnie Ellis, Jr., 47, guilty on one count of Rape, First Degree (Class B Felony), two counts of Incest (Class B Felony), one count of Sodomy, First Degree (Class B Felony), two counts of Sexual Abuse, First Degree (Class D Felony) and being a Persistent Felony Offender, First Degree.
The jurors recommended a 30-year sentence, and the defendant will be a lifetime registrant on the Kentucky Sex Offender Registry.
The crime occurred in February 2020, when the victim was under the age of 18.
“This sickening crime deserves the most serious punishment, and that’s exactly what was delivered in a Fayette County courtroom,” said Attorney General Coleman. “Through the victim’s courage, we delivered justice so this criminal cannot harm another child.”
The Lexington Police Department investigated the case. Assistant Attorney General Lindsey Studebaker and Deputy Director of the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Unit Todd Willard prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. Erica Paske with the Attorney General’s Office of Victims Advocacy provided services to the victim.
Ellis will be sentenced January 6, 2027.
Download Ellis’ picture.