31-year-old Kenneth A. Sanford is behind bars, facing 32 counts of rape and 26 counts of sodomy with underage girls.

The towns of Beaver Dam and Hartford are already buzzing and wondering how this could have happened right under their noses.

"I thought he needed to be taken off the streets. Anybody who would do anything like that would do anything," says Beaver Dam resident, Betty Bryan.

"I think he needs to be put away and never let back out," agrees Butler County resident, Tim Daugherty.

The resounding sentiment from the residents WBKO spoke with is relief that Sanford is behind bars.

However, some Beaver Dam residents are more than a little shocked Sanford is charged with raping underage girls over a five year period.

"I'm surprised its gone on that long and it seems like going on that long he would have been caught. Someone would have told on him, or maybe he would've slipped up," notes Beaver Dam resident, Holly Hack.

"I feel like it took them a little longer than it should, but maybe they had to investigate a little more before they could get him," Bryan adds.

Kentucky State Police, Post 16 Public Information Officer Joe Woo tells WBKO during his court hearing Tuesday, Sanford claims to work as a newspaper deliverer.

Woo also says Sanford was on probation for a drug charge, when a complaint was made concerning his relationship with a young girl, which caused them to start investigating.

Although more details have yet to surface, these citizens hope the arrest can serve to teach parents and children in the future.

"I think it'll probably make them more aware of whose out there and whats out there. And hopefully it'll make them keep an eye on their children more," Hacks states.

Sanford is being held in the Ohio County Detention Center" under a $100,000 bond.

He's scheduled to be arraigned in Ohio County Thursday morning at 11 am.