Breach of Trust: Paramedic Under Investigation for Sexual Assaults During Emergency Transports

Somerset, Kentucky (SPA) ---A Rowan County man faces several sex crime charges for situations that allegedly happened while he was working as a paramedic. Shain Peterman is facing serious criminal charges after being accused of sexually assaulting two women, including a patient he was transporting to a hospital in Lexington. Authorities have confirmed that both alleged incidents involve egregious violations of professional and ethical conduct, and a criminal investigation is actively ongoing. Court documents show Peterman was charged with second-degree rape in Rowan County this past February. Those documents said this situation happened while he was in a position of authority, and the other person was not able to consent.

The most recent case occurred on May 15, 2024, when a woman being transported by ambulance to the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital reported to a nurse shortly after arrival that she had been sexually assaulted during the ride. According to the Uniform citation filed in the Fayette District Court by the Kentucky State Police,  Rowan County EMS would not confirm whether Peterman was employed with them at the time of the alleged incident. However, a video from a fiscal court meeting in November confirmed he was a part-time employee then. While in custody at the Rowan County Detention Center, Peterman was also charged with sodomy in a separate Fayette County case. According to the Kentucky State Police, he allegedly assaulted a patient during a transport from Ohio to the UK Hospital in May of the previous year. At the time, he was working for Patriot Emergency Services. Shain Peterman, 32, of Morehead, who was working for Patriot Emergency Services, was determined to be the paramedic, according to the investigation. A sexual assault kit was completed, and state police said the DNA collected did not belong to the victim. State police said Peterman was already being held in the Rowan County Detention Center at that time. When interviewed by KSP, he allegedly “admitted to performing oral sex” on the victim. Peterman said the encounter was consensual, according to the citation. Peterman was taken into custody following a review of evidence that reportedly includes witness statements, GPS tracking data, and ambulance surveillance footage. He was charged with first-degree sodomy and is scheduled for arraignment Aug. 21, 2025.

In a second case, court records show that Peterman was indicted for second-degree rape in Rowan Circuit Court on Feb. 3, 2025. The Rowan County grand jury charged that Peterman was “in a position of authority or a position of special trust” when he allegedly “engaged in sexual intercourse with another person who is incapable of consent,” the indictment states. Peterman pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in that case in June 2025..

Further investigation uncovered an additional allegation from another woman who claims she was assaulted by the same paramedic in a separate incident. Details of that case have not been fully disclosed. Still, law enforcement officials have indicated that the pattern of behavior suggests a predatory misuse of the paramedic’s access to vulnerable individuals. The Peterman has since been suspended from duty by the ambulance service provider, pending the outcome of the investigation. The company has issued a statement expressing deep concern over the allegations and pledging full cooperation with authorities. “The safety and trust of our patients are paramount,” the statement read. “We take these allegations very seriously and have zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.”

Peterman’s ex-wife, Kristin Sparks, expressed concern over the trust placed in public safety officials, stating, “You should be able to trust your paramedics, your firefighters, your police officers.” According to court documents, Peterman was charged with second-degree rape in Rowan County in February. The documents allege the incident occurred while he was in a position of authority, and the victim was unable to consent. Sparks questioned the lack of public discussion surrounding the case, saying, “As soon as I heard and found out about it, I was curious as to why nobody was talking about it.” She revealed that they married in 2021 but separated six months later, citing personal issues during their relationship. “One thing, when we did get married, one of the first things he said to me was, ‘Well now you can’t testify against me in court,’ and I’ve been thinking about it like, what was he doing then?” she added.

Prosecutors have charged the paramedic with multiple counts of sexual assault, and he is currently being held at Fayette County Detention Center. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this month, during which prosecutors are expected to argue for continued detention based on the seriousness of the charges and potential risk to the public. 

Meanwhile, victim advocacy organizations in the region have responded swiftly, offering support services to those affected and urging other potential victims to come forward. “This case is a chilling reminder of the importance of oversight in emergency medical services,” said a representative from the Kentucky Association for Victim Assistance. “We stand with survivors and demand accountability from those in positions of public trust.”

“Everybody who’s ever been affected by him needs justice, not just the two that have been reported, and I thank God that they did report it and that it is coming to light now,” Sparks said.

If convicted, the paramedic could face decades in prison. The case has sparked outrage across Kentucky, prompting calls for stricter background checks, enhanced in-transit monitoring, and mandatory training on ethical conduct and consent for all emergency responders. We reached out to Rowan County EMS for comment on this situation, and they said they cannot speak to an ongoing investigation. We also reached out to Patriot Emergency Services and have not heard back yet. Peterman’s attorney indicated that he looks forward to their day in court.

The investigation is continuing at this time.

August 7, 2025:  This article has been updated with additional developments.

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