MUNFORDVILLE, Ky. (WBKO) — A 25-year-old man will spend the next three decades in prison after pleading guilty to multiple child exploitation charges in Hart Circuit Court.
Christopher Hawkins was sentenced Friday after entering guilty pleas to use of a minor in a sexual performance, distribution of material portraying a sexual performance by a minor under 12, and three counts of possession of such material, all stemming from Class B and Class C felony charges.
The case began after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led investigators to Hawkins. The Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations arrested him last August at a Hardyville residence.
Authorities say Hawkins later admitted to sexually abusing a 5-year-old and recording video of the act.
The investigation was handled by the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations with assistance from the Hart County Sheriff’s Office and the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Brooke Talley prosecuted the case.
Attorney General Russell Coleman said in a statement that the sentence reflects the state’s commitment to prosecuting those who harm children.
“It’s not easy to stare into the darkness of these crimes,” Coleman said, “Predators who harm children will face the full force of Kentucky law.”
Hart County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kyle Williamson also praised the outcome, crediting law enforcement and prosecutors for bringing the case to a close.
As part of his sentence, Hawkins will be required to register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victim.
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