Kentucky couple charged with child sex exploitation

Published 2:42 pm Thursday, September 5, 2024

A Kentucky couple were arrested Wednesday afternoon in connection with a child sexual abuse material investigation conducted by the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Electronic Crime Branch.

Christopher Ethridge is accused of sharing sexually explicit images of children online. He faces multiple charges, including first-degree sodomy with a victim under the age of 12, a Class-A felony carrying a potential sentence of 20 to 50 years or life in prison.

Additional charges against him include using and promoting a minor under 16 in a sexual performance, distributing material depicting a minor under 12 in a sexual performance, and procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means. These are Class-B felonies, each punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison. He also faces 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material involving minors under the age of 12, a Class-C felony that carries a sentence of five to ten years in prison.

Amy Ethridge is also charged with using and promoting a minor under 16 in a sexual performance, distributing material of a minor under 12, and procuring or promoting the use of a minor electronically. These are all Class-B felonies, punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison. She also faces 20 counts of possessing material portraying a minor under 12 in a sexual performance, a Class-C felony.

Both Christopher and Amy Ethridge were booked into the Pulaski County Detention Center.