Kentucky State Police Charge Rowan Co. Couple with Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses

MOREHEAD, Ky. (May 24, 2024) — On May 23, 2024, at approximately 2:22 p.m., the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch arrested John David Elam, 43, and Myra Patrice Elam, 43, on charges related to a child sexual abuse material investigation.

The Elams were located, interviewed, and arrested as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after discovering the suspects uploading sexually explicit videos of juveniles to an online social media account.

The investigation resulted in executing a search warrant for the couple and for their residence in Morehead on May 23, 2024. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination. The investigation is still ongoing.

John and Myra Elam were both charged with 13 counts of possessing matter portraying a minor under the age of 12 in a sexual performance and two counts of possessing matter portraying a minor over the age of 12 but under the age of 18 in a sexual performance. The charge of possessing matter portraying a minor under the age of 12 in a sexual performance is a Class-C felony punishable by five to ten years in prison. The charge of possessing matter portraying a minor over the age of 12 but under the age of 18 in a sexual performance is a Class-D felony punishable by one to five years in prison. John David Elam was also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. This charge is a Class-D felony as well and is punishable by one to five years in prison. John and Myra Elam were lodged in the Rowan County Detention Center.

The Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is comprised of more than twenty-six local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The mission of the ICAC Task Force, created by the United States Department of Justice and administrated by the Kentucky State Police, is to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in developing a response to cyber enticement and child sexual abuse material investigations. This support encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, prevention and community education. The ICAC program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the internet, the proliferation of child sexual abuse material, and the heightened online activity of predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims.

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