Dennis Cline/Christian County Detention Center
Hopkinsville, Ky. (June 21, 2020) — On June 20, 2020, the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch arrested Dennis Cline, 55, on charges related to promoting a minor in a sex performance, prohibited use of electronic communication device to procure a minor and unlawful distribution and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor.
Cline was arrested as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after discovering the suspect sharing images of child sexual exploitation online.
The investigation resulted in a search warrant in Hopkinsville on June 20, 2020. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination. The investigation is ongoing.
Cline is currently charged with one count of promoting a minor in a sex performance. This charge is a Class-B felony punishable by ten to fifteen years in prison. Cline is also charged with one count of prohibited use of electronic communication device to procure a minor, three counts of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance and three counts of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance. These charges are Class-D felonies punishable by one to five years in prison. Cline was lodged in the Christian County Detention Center.
The Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is comprised of more than twenty-six local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The mission of the ICAC Task Force, created by the United States Department of Justice and administrated by the Kentucky State Police, is to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in developing a response to cyber enticement and child sexual abuse material investigations. This support encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, prevention and community education. The ICAC program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the internet, the proliferation of child sexual abuse material, and the heightened online activity of predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims.
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