Kentucky State Police Charges Shelby County Man With Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses

SHELBYVILLE, Ky. (August 25, 2026) — On August 24, 2026, at approximately 2:09 p.m., the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch arrested James Michael Powell, 41, on charges related to child sexual abuse material.

Mr. Powell was arrested as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after discovering the suspect sharing images of child sexual exploitation online.

The investigation resulted in a search warrant at a residence in Shelbyville on August 24, 2026. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination. The investigation is ongoing.

Mr. Powell is currently charged with ten counts of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance under 12 years old, ten counts of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance under 12 years old (Class-C felonies, punishable by five to ten years in prison), ten counts of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance and ten counts of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance (Class-D felonies, punishable by one to five years in prison).  Mr. Powell was lodged in the Shelby 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.