HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (September 2, 2022) — The Kentucky State Police is reporting that the KSP Electronic Crime Branch arrested James E. West II, 39, on charges related to child sexual abuse material. Mr. West 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 at a residence in Hopkinsville on September 1, 2022. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination. The investigation is ongoing.
James West is currently charged with:
- One hundred counts of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance under 12 years of age
- Fifty counts of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance under 12 years of age
These charges are Class-C felonies punishable by five to ten years in prison.
West was also charged with:
- Fifty 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.
This individual was lodged in the Christian County Detention Center.
Photo of the accused is courtesy of 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 administered 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.
# # #
