Kentucky middle school student charged after allegedly selling nude pictures of juveniles

HODGENVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - A LaRue County middle school student has been charged after police said they sold nude selfies of other children within the community.

According to a post from Hodgenville Police, officers started their investigation on Monday interviewing multiple students at LaRue County Middle School and LaRue County High School.

Hodgenville Police Chief James Richardson said a parent had come forward about a week ago saying their 14-year-old daughter believed a student had sold a nude selfie of her to another student.

The phone was seized from the student, and some of the pics were taken about one to two years ago when the student was only 11 or 12 years old.

The photos had been sold around the beginning of the school year, and Hodgenville Police said the photos are not believed to have been brought outside of the school group.

Police said the suspect was identified as a middle school student and multiple charges will be filed including distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor and possession or viewing of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor.

“HPD will not tolerate this type of behavior and will charge anyone found to be selling children’s nude photos regardless of age,” Hodgenville Police said in a post. “Please talk to your children about the dangers sending nudes across the internet and about the fact of taking them at all.”

Officials said they are working with the school system to create a presentation for students and parents, educating them on the seriousness of sending and owning illegal pictures.