Grand Jury Indicts Local Man Man On Multiple Child Pornography Charges
Mercer County Indictments
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Robert Moore
Herald Staff
[email protected]
A local man has been indicted on multiple child pornography charges.
Last week the Mercer County Grand Jury indicted Jacob R. Murphy, 25, of 622 Scenic Drive, on 10 class B felony counts of distribution of matter portraying sexual performance by minor under the age of 12 and 10 class C felony counts of possession of matter portraying sexual performance by minor under the age of 12.
The offenses are alleged to have occurred between Dec. 1, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2025, in Mercer County, according to the indictment.
Earlier this year, the Harrodsburg Police Department was notified by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force—a national network of 61 coordinated task forces, representing over 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement—about an individual downloading, viewing and distributing child pornography, according to the uniform citation.
Through subpoenas and search warrants, Jacob R. Murphy was identified as the owner of “all the associated accounts with pornography material,” according to the uniform citation.
After being read his rights, Murphy admitted to viewing, downloading and distributing child pornography onto and from his cell phone, according to the uniform citation.
Evidence seized during the investigation will be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigations for further prosecution, the HPD said in a Facebook post.
The grand jury set Murphy’s bond at $100,000. He has a court date on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 1 p.m., according to the Jessamine County Detention Center website.
HPD Patrolwoman Erin Rice testified. The Grand Jury handed up indictments last week on charges including receiving stolen property, possession of a forged instrument and theft.
All charges are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
