The Kentucky State Police arrested Murray Police Detective Justin Swope Wednesday related to multiple sexual offenses that allegedly occurred in Calloway and Trigg counties.
Murray police contacted KSP Post 1 Tuesday, requesting them to investigate allegations of sexual abuse against one of their officers that had been brought to their attention that same day, KSP said in a press release.
Through the initial investigation, detectives learned that 44-year-old Justin Swope of Almo met the victim in his official capacity in 2018 when the victim was 15 years old. The press release stated that the female victim disclosed details of multiple sexual encounters with Swope that occurred when she was a juvenile.
Swope was arrested on Wednesday and charged with two counts of third-degree rape and one count of third-degree sodomy in Calloway County, along with two counts of third-degree rape and one count of third-degree sodomy in Trigg County.
In a separate press release, Murray police said it had received information of possible criminal activity involving a member of the department and, on the same day, requested that the KSP conduct a criminal investigation into the allegations.
MPD said it initiated its own internal administrative investigation, but Swope was arrested by KSP before their own investigation was concluded. They said Swope subsequently resigned from the Murray Police Department.
Published in partnership with The MurraySentinel. For more information, click here.
Photo: In an unrelated case, Justin Swope gives testimony during a preliminary hearing in October 2025. (Zoom screenshot/The Murray Sentinel)