COVINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 17, 2024) – Attorney General Russell Coleman joined elected leaders in Kenton County this week to discuss the Commonwealth’s new tools in the fight against child exploitation. General Coleman discussed House Bill 207, a new law introduced by State Representative Stephanie Dietz (R-Edgewood) and carried in the Senate by State Senator Chris McDaniel (R-Ryland Heights). They were joined by bill supporters Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 16th Judicial Circuit Rob Sanders and Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann.
Watch the press conference here.
The statute gives law enforcement and prosecutors new tools to stop predators, including banning the possession of child sex dolls and AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
“Taking on child exploitation is a dark topic, and I’m grateful for strong leaders like Rep. Dietz and Sen. McDaniel who are willing to stare into the face of this evil to protect our children,” said Attorney General Coleman. “This new law puts Kentucky on the forefront of countering exploitation, and I look forward to working with law enforcement and prosecutors across the Commonwealth as we keep our families safe.”
Last month, the Kentucky State Police announced an arrest of a Metcalfe County man on several exploitation charges, including the possession of a child sex doll.
“Child sexual abuse cases are some of the most heinous and challenging to try. This measure gives our law enforcement an additional tool to arrest and prosecute those guilty of harming our most vulnerable,” said Representative Stephanie Dietz, R-Edgewood. “I appreciate Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders for bringing this issue to light and Attorney General Russell Coleman for his work on the measure. I also want to thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support.”
In addition to the elected leaders, Attorney General Coleman was joined by Jeremy Murrell, Deputy Commissioner for Counter Exploitation of the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Detective Shelby Guffey and K9 Officer Charity. K9 Charity is specially trained to detect electronic storage devices that can be used for child sexual abuse material.
“Protecting our children from the horrors of exploitation and human trafficking is a priority that cannot be overstated,” said Senate Budget Chair Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights. “I was proud to carry House Bill 207 in the Senate, a crucial bill championed by Rep. Stephanie Dietz equipping law enforcement and prosecutors with statutory support to put predators behind bars where they belong. We are grateful to have Attorney General Coleman as a leading voice, which is why, in our biennial budget, we secured $450,000 annually for the Attorney General's Child Exploitation Specialized Investigation and Prosecution Unit. We must remain unwavering in our commitment to safeguard the most vulnerable among us, ensuring that those who prey on children face the full force of justice.”
“Representative Dietz and Senator McDaniel, with the help of General Coleman, ensured Kentucky’s prosecutors have the tools we need to protect children from online predators. Thank to their hard work, Kentucky is ahead of the game in the everchanging world of cybercrimes,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders.
“This legislation will play a vital role in protecting children not only in Kenton County but also throughout the Commonwealth,” said Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann. “The hallmark of a great community is a safe community and we know ours is safer because of this effort. I applaud our General Assembly, especially Rep. Stephanie Dietz, for their leadership in facing this challenge head on.”
(Attorney General Russell Coleman speaks alongside Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann, Representative Stephanie Dietz, Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders. Click here to download).