LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Frankfort, Ky. — London  man was among the seven individuals arrested recently by Kentucky State Police for possession and distribution of matter portraying the sexual performance by a minor.  

Kentucky State Police executed 13 search warrants in nearly half of all the post locations in the state.

Over the last couple of months, the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch initiated several investigations into the possession and distribution of images involving child sexual exploitation. This week, the Electronic Crime Branch, along with troopers and detectives from seven KSP post areas, served search warrants covering nearly half the Commonwealth. The Richmond, Morehead, Pikeville, Harlan, London, Frankfort and Columbia KSP posts all participated in the operation. To date, seven suspects have been arrested. Additional charges are expected upon complete examination of all the evidence obtained during execution of the search warrants.  

The KSP Electronic Crime Branch is part the Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which is made up of dozens of officers throughout the Commonwealth who investigate the crime of child sexual exploitation. KSP administers the task force, one of 61 coordinated programs created nationwide in an effort to combat the growing problem of child sexual exploitation. The task force has officers at every level of law enforcement from local, state and federal departments in Kentucky.

“This operation was successful because of a lot of hard work by some very dedicated officers around the state,” said Lt. Shane Bates, commander of the KSP Electronic Crime Branch. “Technology now allows offenders to share pornographic material with people anywhere in the world at any time. The arrests this week provide only a small glimpse into the true nature of the problem we are facing”.

“Kentucky ICAC Task Force investigators are committed to making the Internet a safer place for Kentucky’s children,” Bates said. “Our goal is to locate and arrest someone before they have the opportunity to harm a child.”

Arrests during the operation include:

• Harold Givens, 63, of London, Ky., who was charged with distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, three counts; and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, three counts. He was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

• Robbie Criswell, 42 of Richmond, Ky., who was charged with distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, one count; and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, one count.  He was lodged in the Madison County Jail.

• William R. Helton, 63, of Stony Fork, Ky., who was charged with distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, two counts; and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, two counts.  He was lodged in the Harlan County Jail.

• John M. Phillips, 25, of Kenvir, Ky., who was charged with distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, two counts; and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, two counts.  He was lodged in the Harlan County Jail.

 • James Baker, 40, of Nancy, Ky., who was charged with distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, 10 counts; and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, 50 counts. He was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center.

•  Jose Garcia, 20s, of Versailles, Ky., who was charged with distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, five counts; and possession  of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense, five counts. He was lodged in the Woodford County Jail.

•  Thomas Whitehead, 47, Greensburg, Ky., who was charged with possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, first offense. He was lodged in the Taylor County Jail.

 Criminal behavior should be reported through law-enforcement agencies. Contact the KSP Post 11 in London at 606-878-6622.