A Hopkins County man has been charged with 30 child porn counts.
The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch arrested 39-year-old Ryan A. Hardin, of Madisonville, and charged him with 10 counts of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance and 10 counts of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance (victim over the age of 12). He is also facing 10 counts of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance (victim under the age of 12).
Hardin was arrested as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation,police said. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after discovering Hardin was sharing images of child sexual exploitation online.
The investigation resulted in a search warrant at Hardin’s residence in Madisonville on Thursday where equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination.
The investigation is ongoing.
Hardin was lodged in the Hopkins County Detention Center on a $20,000 cash bond.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
