Former LMPD Officer Indicted For Enticing Minors, Distribution, And Possession of Child Porn

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A former Louisville Metro Police Department officer has been indicted by a federal grand jury for enticement, attempted enticement, possession of child pornography, transfer of obscene materials to a minor and distribution of child pornography.

“No person is above the law; especially one entrusted with the authority of a police officer, who then abuses that authority to prey on the vulnerable,” stated U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman. “Today’s multi-count indictment of Mr. Betts is a testament to that notion in the Western District of Kentucky”

“Today’s indictment is the first for Louisville’s Public Corruption Civil Rights Task Force, where we have combined local, state and federal resources to work together to investigate allegations of corruption or color of law violations,” said FBI SAC James Robert Brown Jr. “It is an example of the process working, and there will be others. The people of Louisville deserve to have confidence in their elected and law enforcement officials. This indictment serves as a reminder the Task Force will root out those who choose to violate this trust.”

The seven count Indictment charges Kenneth R. Betts, 34, of Shelbyville, Kentucky, with one count of distribution of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, three counts of enticement of an individual under the age of 18 years to engage in sexual activity, one count of transfer of obscene materials to an individual under the age of 16, and one count of attempted enticement of an individual under the age of 18.

According to the Indictment:  Betts enticed John Doe 1, an individual who was not yet 18 years old, between February 2006 and February 2008, to engage in sexual activity; Betts enticed John Doe 2, an individual who was not yet 18 years old, between May 2010 and May 2014, to engage in sexual activity; Betts enticed Jane Doe 1, an individual who was not yet 18 years old, between June 2013 and July 2013, to engage in sexual activity; and Betts attempted to entice John Doe 3, an individual who was not yet 18 years old, between September and November of 2014, to engage in sexual activity.   

If convicted Betts faces no less than five years and no more than 20 years in prison for distribution of child pornography, no more than 10 years for possession of child pornography, no less than 10 years for each count of enticement and attempted enticement, and no more than 10 years for transfer of obscene material to a minor.  The charges also carry a potential term of supervised release of no less than 5 years up to a term of life.

Assistant United States Attorney Jo E. Lawless is prosecuting the case, and it is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Louisville Metro Police Department Public Integrity Unit.

The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation
only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless
proven guilty.