Western Ky. man facing nearly 70 child porn charges, up to 40 years in prison

damien-belt
damien-belt

A western Kentucky man has been charged with nearly 70 child pornography counts.

The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested 31-year-old Damien K. Belt, of Clay (Webster Co.), and charged him with 33 counts of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance (victim under 12), 33 counts of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance (victim under 12) and two counts of promoting a minor under 16 in a sexual performance.

He faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted of the charges.

The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began its investigation after discovering Belt sharing images of child sexual exploitation online, police said.

The investigation resulted in police executing a search warrant at Belt’s residence in Clay Tuesday night where equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and transported to KSP’s forensic laboratory.

He was lodged in the Webster County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash bond.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com