Internet investigation leads to arrest of Casey County man on child sexual exploitation offenses

LIBERTY, Ky. – A Casey County man is charged with child sexual exploitation offenses following an investigation.

According to a release, the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch arrested 34-year-old Thomas Hagen Woods at his residence in Liberty on Tuesday.

KSP says Woods is charged with child sexual exploitation following an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation.

A search warrant was executed at Woods’ residence and equipment used to commit the alleged crimes was seized.

Woods is charged with one count of promoting a minor under the age of 16 in a sexual performance, twenty counts of possessing matter portraying a minor under the age of 12 in a sexual performance, seven counts of distributing matter portraying a minor under the age of 12 in a sexual performance, procuring or promoting the use of a minor by an electronic means, and seven counts of distributing obscene matter to a minor. Promoting a minor under the age of 16 in a sexual performance is a Class-B felony punishable by 10-20 years in prison, possessing matter portraying a minor under the age of 12 in a sexual performance, distributing matter portraying a minor under the age of 12 in a sexual performance, and procuring and promoting the use of a minor by an electronic means are all Class-C felonies punishable by 5-10 years in prison. The last charge of distributing obscene matter to a minor is a Class-A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

Woods was lodged at the Casey County Jail.