Man charged with possession of child sexual abuse material in Adair County

COLUMBIA, Ky. – An Adair County man is charged regarding an online child sexual abuse material investigation.

According to a uniform citation, the Kentucky State Police conducted an undercover online investigation after receiving a tip that 25-year-old Austin Beard of Columbia possessed several files of child sexual abuse material.

Authorities say they located Beard at his residence, where troopers say they located child sexual abuse material on some devices.

Troopers say Beard admitted to communicating online in a sexual manner with minors between the ages of 11 and 15. In addition, authorities say he stated he had downloaded child sexual abuse material in his possession.

Further charges are pending at this time.

Beard remains at the Adair County Regional Jail on five counts of possession of matter portraying sexual performance by a minor under 12, five counts of possession of matter of a sex performance by a minor over 12 but under 18, first offense, and one count of procuring or promoting use of a minor by electronic means.