Hickman County man facing child sexual exploitation charge after undercover investigation

(KBSI) – A Hickman County man faces charges related to child sexual abuse material after an undercover investigation.

The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crimes Branch arrested Joshua R. Baird, 31, on October 11 on charges related to child sexual abuse material.

He is charged with one count of promoting a minor under 16 years old in a sex performance. This charge is a Class-B felony punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison.

Baird 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, according to Kentucky State Police.

The investigation resulted in a search warrant at a home in Clinton on October 11. Authorities seized equipment believed to be used to facilitate the crime. It was taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination. The investigation continues.

Baird was taken to the Hickman County Detention Center.

The Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force consists of more than 26 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

The mission of the ICAC Task Force is to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in developing a response to cyber enticement and child sexual abuse material investigations.

This support includes 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, according to KSP.