Attorney General Jack Conway and his Cybercrimes Unit have announced that a Lawrence County grand jury has indicted a man on charges involving child pornography.
On Jan. 10, the grand jury indicted 68-year-old Edgar N. Purdom on four counts of distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor and one count of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. Purdom turned himself in at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Monday afternoon.
An investigation by General Conway’s Cybercrimes investigators began in February 2013 following an undercover lead. A search warrant was executed at Purdom’s home in October 2013 with the assistance of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department.
Distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor are Class D felonies. Each count is punishable by one to five years in prison.
A charge is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
General Conway’s Cybercrimes Unit
Since its creation in June of 2008, General Conway’s Cybercrimes Unit has launched 375 child pornography investigations and seized more than 422,600 child pornographic images and videos from the Internet. The unit’s investigative efforts have also resulted in a 100 percent conviction rate.
For additional information on General Conway’s efforts to protect Kentuckians from Internet predators, visit the Office of the Attorney General’s “Cybersafety in Kentucky” page at http://ag.ky.gov/cybersafety/. To report cyber abuse, visit the CyberTipline or call 1-800-843-5678.
