Murray, Kentucky Child Predator Found Guilty by Jury

Twelve minor victims identified in the course of the investigation

PADUCAH, Ky. – A Calloway County, Kentucky, man, has been convicted today on 25 counts of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of sex trafficking children. The jury convicted Jeffrey Desmond Carter, age 40, following a five-day jury trial after 2.5 hours of deliberation.

“When I talk about the feds being good partners to state and local law enforcement, this outcome is where words translated into a result with our kids as the beneficiaries,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. “What began with Murray PD, Calloway County SO, and the KY State Police was then ably-prosecuted by a talented federal prosecutor supported by a team of dedicated support professionals. More to come; we are committed to being good partners in serving all 53 counties of our district.”

Carter, of Murray, Kentucky, was charged on October 18, 2016, by a federal grand jury with 25 counts of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of sex trafficking children.

According to a pretrial memo, on February 5, 2015, the Calloway County Sheriff’s Department was notified that a 15 year-old female had sent sexually explicit photos and videos of herself to Carter, through a Facebook messenger account under the name of Adam Bryan. The investigation soon merged with an investigation by the Murray Police Department.

At the same time the Calloway County report was made, another report was being made to the Murray Police Department that a 14-year old girl sent nude images to Carter. Through investigative techniques, Carter was identified and a search warrant was obtained for his Murray, Kentucky, apartment.

A search warrant for Carter’s apartment was executed on February 10, 2015, by law enforcement agents from the Murray Police Department, Calloway County Sheriff’s Department, and Kentucky State Police. A number of items were seized from the residence including electronic devices. Carter was present when the warrant was executed and was taken to the Murray Police Department for questioning. After waiving his Miranda rights, Carter admitted to using the “Adam Bryan” Facebook account and to contacting girls under the age of 18 and requesting nude images and videos from them. Further, Carter admitted to engaging in sexual acts with a number of minor females and to recording those encounters. Carter stated that he would pay money or provide gifts to the minor females in exchange for participating in the sex acts or for sending nude images or videos. In addition to his verbal confession Carter wrote out a confession; in this written confession, Carter specifically names six of the victims listed in the indictment, and provides a description of a seventh.

The Kentucky Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory performed an analysis on the devices seized during the search warrant; in reviewing the reports and data an FBI special agent and other authorities were able to identify at least 12 victims, including those already known to law enforcement.

Sentencing in this case is set for 11:00 AM Central time, on January 14, 2020, in Paducah, before Senior United States District Judge Thomas B. Russell. Carter faces a mandatory prison term of no less than 15 years and a maximum of 30 years for counts 1-22, 24, 25, & 27; no less than 5 years and a maximum of 20 years for count 23; no less than 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment for count 26; and up to and including a lifetime period of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth A. Hancock and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  In addition to the original investigative agencies including the Murray Police Department, Calloway County Sheriff’s Department, and the Kentucky State Police, assistance in the federal investigation was received from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department; McCracken County Sheriff’s Department; Metropolis, Illinois Police Department; Murray State University Police Department; and the Purchase Area Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy Center.

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This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.