Berea, Ky. (August 4, 2020) — On August 4, 2020, the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch arrested three men on charges related to child sexual abuse material.
Joshua M. Hensley, 30, was arrested at approximately 2:15 p.m., Bradeley S. Helton, 32, was arrested at approximately 4:15 p.m., and Stephen Pulsford, 61, was arrested at approximately 7:15 p.m.
Joshua M. Hensley,
and Stephen Pulsford.
These arrests were the result of undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigations. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigations after discovering the suspects promoting the sexual performance of a minor or sharing images of child sexual exploitation online.
The investigations resulted in the execution of search warrants at three residences in Berea on August 4, 2020. Equipment used to facilitate these crimes were seized and taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination. The investigations are ongoing.
Hensley is currently charged with one count of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance. This charge is a Class-D felony punishable by one to five years in prison.
Helton is currently charged with one count of use of a minor in a sexual performance. This charge is a Class-C felony punishable by five to ten years in prison.
Pulsford is currently charged with one count of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance. This charge is a Class-D felony punishable by one to five years in prison. Hensley, Helton and Pulsford were lodged in the Madison County Detention Center.
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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.
