Clark man arrested on child porn charges
State police arrested a Clark County man who allegedly shared explicit images of children on line.
Austin M. McGowan, 20, of 63 Wheeler Ave., was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts each of distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, according to Kentucky State Police.
The arrest followed an investigation by the KSP Electronic Crime Branch. KSP said they discovered McGowan sharing images online and launched an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation.
On Thursday, detectives went to McGowan’s residence, according to court documents, and interviewed him. According to the arrest citation, a Yahoo account tied to McGowan had uploaded several explicit images of child exploitation. McGowan reportedly admitted to using the account.
KSP said officers seized equipment used in the alleged action for an upcoming forensic examination.
McGowan was lodged in the Clark County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond.
The charges are class D felonies with a sentence of one to five years upon conviction.