A Madisonville man has been arrested on internet sex crimes against children following an investigation by the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch.
KSP says 39-year old Ryan Hardin 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 allegedly sharing images of child sexual exploitation online.
The investigation resulted in a search warrant being executed at a residence in Madisonville on December 2. Equipment used to facilitate the alleged crime was seized and taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination.
Hardin is currently charged with 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 with a victim over 12 years old.