Spruce Pine man indicted on sex abuse charges

A Spruce Pine man who was arrested in October after being accused of sexually abusing a young child was indicted by a recent grand jury, officials said.

Freddy Hovater, 71, 110 Iris Lane, Spruce Pine, was indicted by the March grand jury for sexual torture of a child less than 12 years old, sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old and enticing a child to enter for immoral purposes, Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, Hovater was accused of sexually abusing a female victim using objects such as the wooden handle of a bell and a vibrator.

Reports indicate he is also accused of watching her take baths.

Oliver said the abuse had allegedly taken place for a year before it was reported to authorities.

The abuse reportedly took place at Hovater’s home when the girl was there visiting, Oliver said.

The victim was reportedly a family acquaintance.

Rushing said Hovater’s case would be placed on the May arraignment docket and would be placed on the criminal trial docket as early as June.