Gov. Beshear: Kentucky State Police Arrest 16 Child Predators During Operation Safe-Online Summer’
Electronic Crime Branch has arrested 325 predators since 2019
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 26, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Electronic Crime Branch recently took part in a national operation aimed at protecting children from online exploitation, which resulted in the arrest of 16 perpetrators across the commonwealth, bringing the number of predators arrested since 2019 to 325.
“We are committed to building a safer Kentucky, especially for our most vulnerable children,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “I am proud of our Electronic Crime Branch team for working hard to take predators off the internet and off the streets so our children can be safe online and in their community.” Operation Safe Online Summer, which was conducted throughout April by all 50 states, was coordinated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Lt. Mike Bowling, commander of KSP’s Electronic Crime Branch, emphasized the importance of collaboration and prevention in fighting online child exploitation.
“Operation Safe Online Summer is about more than arrests. It is about education, prevention and protecting the most vulnerable among us,” Lt. Bowling said. “Our team works tirelessly to respond to cyber tips, pursue offenders and educate the public. Every child we protect and every victim we identify is a step closer to a safer online environment for Kentucky’s youth.”
Throughout this month-long operation, the Electronic Crime Branch and local partners conducted many proactive enforcement actions and educational outreach focused on online safety.
As a result of this campaign, law enforcement in Kentucky:
- Launched over 70 investigations stemming from complaints and cyber tips.
- Arrested 16 perpetrators.
- Executed 37 search warrants across the state.
- Submitted 16 cases for state prosecution and two cases for federal prosecution.
- Identified 11 child victims during the operation.
- Completed 37 forensic examinations, including 17 on-scene forensic examinations.
- Examined a total of 934 GB of data for evidence.
- Conducted 14 Community Outreach Presentations, reaching more than 730 individuals with vital information on internet safety.
The Kentucky State Police is committed to investigating internet crimes against children year-round and encourages parents, educators and community leaders to remain vigilant about the dangers children can face online. For more information about the KSP Electronic Crime Branch and internet safety resources, visit the agency’s website.
Kentuckians who recognize a cybercrime involving a child should take immediate action. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline can be used to report any type of child abuse, including child pornography. Tips can also be reported by calling 1-800-THE LOST. After preliminary analysis, a report is generated and sent to the KSP because of the agency’s participation in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The Beshear-Coleman administration is committed to making Kentucky safer for our children by increasing access to addiction resources, improving second chance opportunities, providing support and enhanced training to law enforcement officers and boosting the economy.
Recently, Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 73 making sexual extortion a felony law and House Bill 207, strengthening the language in statute to include other forms of abuse and sexual exploitation of minors.
Since taking office in 2019, the Beshear-Coleman administration has awarded more than $149 million in grant funding to victim service agencies and provided victim services to approximately 323,000 Kentuckians. In August, the Governor awarded $14.9 million through the federal Victims of Crime Act grant program prioritizing services to victims of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence; survivors of violence; victims of burglary, theft, drug and alcohol-related crimes; and elderly victims.
In April 2023, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 319, increasing award amounts, expanding reimbursement categories and adding caregivers to the persons eligible for reimbursement from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.
# # #