LONDON, Ky. – A Somerset, Ky., husband and wife, Christopher Ethridge, 39, and Amy Ethridge, 30, were each sentenced to 30 years on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Chad Meredith for the production of child pornography. Both defendants were previously sentenced to 70 years in prison in Pulaski County Circuit Court for Rape 1st (Christopher) and Complicity to Commit Rape 1st (Amy) of the same child victim in the federal case. The federal and state sentences will run consecutively for a total of 100 years for each defendant.
On August 23, 2024, Christopher Ethridge aided and abetted by his wife and co-defendant, produced child pornography of a minor toddler victim. Further evidence uncovered that Christopher and Amy Ethridge discussed sexually abusing a victim child and had a handwritten contract that detailed what sexual acts that they were allowed to perform on the child.
“The conduct in this case represents a profound betrayal of one of society’s most basic duties — to protect its children,” said Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our office will zealously pursue anyone who exploits or endangers children, and we will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to bring offenders to justice. This prosecution underscores our unwavering resolve to safeguard the most vulnerable members of our community. It also illustrates the results that can be achieved by complementary investigations and prosecutions by state and federal partners.”
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of these crimes, and ensures these offenders will no longer be able to harm children,” said HSI Nashville Deputy Special Agent in Charge Michael Perez. “HSI remains steadfast in working alongside our law enforcement partners to identify offenders, safeguard victims, and pursue justice.”
Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael Perez, HSI Nashville Deputy Special Agent in Charge, and Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by HSI Lexington, the Madison County Sheriff's Office and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .
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Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Eastern District of Kentucky — U.S. Department of Justice press release.