FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) – Four men have been arrested following a two-day undercover predator sting in Franklin County.
Attorney General Andy Beshear’s Cyber Crimes Unit conducted the operation with the goal to arrest those who seek sex with children online and produce, possess or distribute child pornography.
From Thursday through Friday, 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
Hoskins 17 on two counts: promoting human trafficking, victim under the age of 18, and unlawful use of electronic means originating or received within the Commonwealth to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities.
- Ricky Cornish Jr., 32, of Frankfort, was arrested May 16 on one count of unlawful use of electronic means originating or receivedwithin the Commonwealth to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities.
- Joseph Leavitt, 34, of Frankfort, was arrested May 16 on one count of unlawful use of electronic means
Leavitt originating or received within the Commonwealth to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities.
- Michael Stewart, 46, of Sacramento, Ky., 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, and two misdemeanor counts of possessionof marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Hoskins, Cornish, and Stewart 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.
You can report a cyber crime to Beshear’s office by calling 866-524-3672 or emailing DCIForce@ky.gov. Information can be shared anonymously.
