LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) -- Kenneth Betts, a former LMPD officer who pleaded guilty to charges involving sex abuse in LMPD’s youth Explorer program, was sentenced by United States District Judge David J. Hale to 16 years’ imprisonment—followed by 20 years of supervised release.
The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to enticement, attempted enticement, possession of child pornography, transfer of obscene materials to a minor, and distribution of child pornography in December 2018.
According to court documents, Betts communicated with a minor he met through the LMPD Explorers Program on the internet between May 2010 and May 2014. Betts persuaded, induced and enticed the minor to engage in sexual activity and share explicit images.
Betts quit in 2014 over accusations from a girl in the program who said the officer sent her inappropriate text messages when she was 16. Betts asked the girl to meet for sexual activity and send explicit photos. He also allegedly had interaction with a different minor at the same time, requesting explicit photos and attempting to coerce the minor into sexual activity.
Another former LMPD officer, Brandon Wood, faces charges in Jefferson County Circuit Court pertaining to abuse in the program.
The scandal resulted in the termination of the Explorer Program on March 13, 2017.
Betts was court ordered on July 2 to pay a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 and an agreed order of restitution in the amount of $20,000 will be entered with regard to John Doe 1.
MORE ON WHAS11.COM:
