10 Kentuckians indicted in joint FBI child exploitation investigation

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced on Wednesday, May 7, that 10 Kentuckians have been indicted in a joint investigation cracking down on sex crimes involving children.

According to the Louisville division of the FBI, 205 people accused of child sexual abuse have been arrested in the past week. The operation involved all 55 FBI field offices and resulted in 10 federal indictments in the Eastern District of Kentucky alone.

“These depraved human beings, if convicted, will face the maximum penalty in prison, some life,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said. “We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will charge you. If you are online targeting a child, you will not escape us. The FBI and the Department of Justice will come after you, and we’ll prosecute you.”

Six were arrested in Kentucky, three were already in custody, and one case is still outstanding, the FBI said.

According to the Department of Justice, the following eight men in Kentucky were charged in connection with Operation Justice:

• Jason Back, 42, of Salyersville, was charged with online enticement of a minor.
• Jesus Chavez, 33, of Somerset, faces five counts of producing child pornography.
• Jordan Cobb, 33, of Salyersville, was charged with online enticement of a minor and cyberstalking a minor.
• Austin Hawk, 25, of Pittsburg, was charged with transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity.
• Nathan Smith, 30, of Manchester, was charged with two counts of distribution of child pornography, one count of receiving child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
• Michael Moon, 47, of Annville, was charged with one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
• Timothy Ray Dale, 63, of Paris, was charged with one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
• Finley Wooton, 32, of Hyden, was charged with the attempted production of child pornography.

One indictment is under seal.

Olivia Olson, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Louisville Field Office, commended the joint task force for their dedication to working to find alleged perpetrators of child abuse.

“The subjects arrested in this operation included those in positions of public trust–law enforcement, members of the military and teachers. Others are your neighbors, proving criminal activity can be found even in the most familiar places. They’re accused of various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking,” the FBI said.

The nationwide investigation remains ongoing. More information about Operation Justice can be found at the Department of Justice website.

Madylin Goins contributed to this story.