PAINTSVILLE, Ky. — A Johnson County man who was arrested back in September on 201 charges of rape has now been indicted, and the charges against him have grown more than eightfold.

John Silas Ashley, 36, of Van Lear, is now facing 1,680 charges, after he was indicted by a Johnson County grand jury Nov. 15. The charges include 571 counts of incest, 100 counts of first-degree rape, 600 counts of unlawful transaction with a minor, 399 counts of second-degree rape, seven counts of third-degree rape and single counts of second-degree sodomy, tampering with physical evidence and third-degree criminal abuse.
All of the alleged victims are child relatives.

Ashley was initially arrested Sept. 12, when one told police she had recorded video evidence of Ashley molesting her and her sister on her phone, but he had taken the phone from her and assaulted her. He was charged at that time with fourth-degree assault and evidence tampering.

A week later, he was charged with one count of first-degree rape, 130 counts of second-degree rape, 70 counts of third-degree rape and three counts of criminal abuse.

Ashley continues to be held in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville on a $50,000 cash bond.