ELIZABETHTON (WATE/AP) - An East Tennessee Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate is charged with solicitation of a minor, and his case has been bound over to a grand jury.
Authorities say the alleged incident occurred in Carter County in May 2011, when a seven-year-old girl riding her bike in front of the apartment of Thomas Ken "T.K." Owens was invited inside.
The 36-year-old then allegedly hugged the girl, unzipped his pants, and asked her to perform a sex act. The girl ran home and told her mother, who notified police.
Owens told investigators the girl had been in his apartment. As for the allegation, he said, "I have a problem with that," but did not elaborate.
Owens' attorney told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he had just gotten the case and was still reviewing it.
The Carter County Grand Jury indicted Owens on May 14, according to the Elizabethton Star. He is out of jail on bond.
His next court date is a plea deadline scheduled for July 25.
Owens, a former reporter at WJHL TV in Johnson City, will be on the Aug. 2 ballot in the race to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Bob Corker.
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T.K. Owens (source: Carter County Sheriff's Office)
