A Kentucky man will spend 18 years in federal prison who admitted to sending child pornography to an undercover law enforcement officer.

Michael Earl Huey, 66, of Hanson, Kentucky, was sentenced on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 18 years in prison, for distribution of child pornography.

According to his plea agreement, on October 17, 2022, an online covert employee with law enforcement posted a message on a chat thread asking, “Any pervs in Kentucky.” Huey responded by sending direct messages to the covert employee. Huey eventually shifted their conversation to another messaging platform. There, Huey sent the covert employee several depictions of child pornography. Huey admitted that he knowingly distributed these visual depictions, knowing they contained minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

On November 16, 2022, law enforcement searched Huey’s residence and found his phone, which contained approximately 65 images and 16 videos of child pornography. At sentencing, Huey did not oppose a sentencing enhancement for engaging in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of minors.

Under federal law, Huey must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Winslow is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.