2 guilty of numerous counts of bestiality, child sexual crimes in Kentucky

GRAVES COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — Two individuals have pleaded guilty to sexually abusing children and having sex with animals in Graves County.

The Graves County Sheriff’s Office announced the convictions of Neela Wilford, 47, of Mayfield, and Christopher Carruthers, 32, of Pennsylvania, in a release Tuesday afternoon.

In 2023, the sheriff’s office said it received a tip about the two selling sexually explicit videos and photos online of them sexually abusing kids. The informant also claimed that Wilford and Carruthers were having sex with animals.

Following an in-depth investigation that involved a series of searches over several months and numerous electronic devices being seized, multiple images and videos of children under 12 performing sexual acts were seized, GCSO announced.

After the investigation, Wilford and Carruthers were arrested in 2024, court records show.

On April 15, 2025, Carruthers, who deputies said pleaded guilty to six counts of sex crimes against animals and two counts of possession of matter portraying a minor under the age of 12 in a sexual performance, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Sheriffs confirmed that, on Monday, June 9, Wilford pleaded guilty to numerous charges after being accused of:

• First-degree unlawful transaction with a minor under the age of 16—illegal sexual act
• Sexual crimes against animals—15 counts
• Distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under the age of 12—eight counts
• Drug paraphernalia—buying or possessing—two counts
• First-degree possession of methamphetamine—two counts
• Tampering with physical evidence

Records show that Wilford is due to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on June 23.