Charges include human trafficking of a minor, seeking sex with a minor online
FRANKFORT, KY. (May 18, 2019) – Attorney General Andy Beshear announced the arrest of 4 men after a two-day undercover “Operation Shielded Child” predator sting in Franklin County.
Beshear’s Cyber Crimes Unit conducted the operation in accordance with their mission to arrest those who seek sex with children online and produce, possess or distribute child pornography.
From Thursday through Friday, Beshear’s cyber investigators made the arrests with the assistance of the Frankfort Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff, Franklin County Jail, Lexington Police Department and Louisville Metro Police Department.
Those arrested and charged are:
- Jarrett Hoskins, 23, of Lexington, was arrested May 17 on two counts: promoting human trafficking, victim under the age of 18, a Class C felony; and unlawful use of electronic means originating or received within the Commonwealth to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities, a Class D felony.
- Ricky Cornish Jr., 32, of Frankfort, was arrested May 16 on one count of unlawful use of electronic means originating or received within the Commonwealth to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities, a Class D felony.
- Joseph Leavitt, 34, of Frankfort, was arrested May 16 on one count of unlawful use of electronic means originating or received within the Commonwealth to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities, a Class D felony.
- Michael Stewart, 46, of Sacramento, Kentucky, was arrested May 16 on three counts: unlawful use of electronic means originating or received within the Commonwealth to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities, a Class D felony; and two misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Three defendants are being held in the Franklin County Regional Jail. Leavitt is being held in the Shelby County Detention Center.
The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Franklin County will handle the prosecution of the cases.
The work of the Cyber Crimes Unit, a division of the Department of Criminal Investigations in the Office of the Attorney General, is part of Beshear’s core mission to keep sexual predators away from Kentucky’s children.
“I would like to thank my team of dedicated investigators and our law enforcement partners for helping to make another ‘Operation Shielded Child’ sting a success,” Beshear said. “The team in the Office of the Attorney General is unwavering in their commitment to protect children.”
Throughout the year, the Cyber Crimes Unit arrests predators and routinely conducts an “Operation Shielded Child” mission. Last year, another sting caught four men who traveled to Frankfort with the alleged intent of engaging in sex with a minor.
Since Beshear took office, the number of arrests, indictments and convictions by cyber investigators has reached historic levels, totaling more than 150.
Beshear said Kentuckians have a moral and legal responsibility to report instances of cyber crime to his office, which can be done by calling 866-524-3672 or emailing DCIForce@ky.gov. Information can be shared anonymously.
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