A 17-year-old in Campbellsville, Kentucky is facing 12 felony counts after a Taylor County grand jury indictment accusing him of possessing and creating child sexual abuse material. The teen was lodged at the Adair Youth Development Center and is being held on a $250,000 cash bond following the indictment, which was handed up on October 23.
According to WHAS11, the case traces back to August, when Kentucky State Police Post 15 received a report that the 17-year-old possessed child sexual abuse material. Trooper Zach Scott responded to a home on Birdie Avenue in Campbellsville and launched the investigation into the allegations, per the outlet's reporting on statements from state police.
Grand Jury Hands Up 12-Count Indictment
The investigation was ultimately presented to a Taylor County grand jury, which returned the indictment against the teenager on October 23, according to wnky.com. That outlet reported that troopers and detectives arrested the teen after investigating allegations of possessing child sexual abuse material, and that the indictment was served on him that evening. Trooper Nick Davis served the indictment on the teen, per the state police account relayed by WHAS11.
The 12 counts break down into two sets of charges, according to FOX 56: six counts of use of a minor under 16 in a sexual performance, and six counts of possession or viewing material portraying a sexual performance by a minor over 12 but under 18 years of age. The same report noted that the investigation remains ongoing with assistance from the FBI.
What the Charges Carry
Kentucky's statute on use of a minor in a sexual performance classifies the offense as a Class C felony when the minor is under 18 at the time of the prohibited activity, and a Class B felony when the minor is under 16, according to the Kentucky General Assembly. The statutory language made available does not provide a complete breakdown of penalties tied to every count the teen now faces.
No information has been released identifying the teen by name, and no attorney, hearing date, or plea has been reported in connection with the indictment. It also has not been reported whether the $250,000 bond has been posted or whether the teen remains in custody. The investigation continuing with FBI assistance suggests additional findings could still emerge from the case.
