The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Electronic Crime Branch arrested Samuel N. Patterson, 47, on charges related to child sexual abuse material. According to KSP, after an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation, officers arrested Patterson at an Owensboro residence on September 28.
KSP reported they began the investigation after discovering the suspect shared images of child sexual exploitation online. Detectives seized the equipment Patterson used to facilitate the crime and took it to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination, according to KSP.
Officials charged Patterson with 10 counts of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance under 12 years old. The charges are Class C felonies punishable by 5-10 years in prison. Officers booked Patterson at the Daviess County Detention Center.
The Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force comprises more than 26 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.
