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Child Predator Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
Austin Lee Gladd, a 26-year-old Russell Springs resident, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for producing child pornography. This harsh punishment serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of preying on innocent minors.
Gladd’s guilty plea, which he entered in April 2023, revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior. He admitted to using social media to coerce a minor victim into engaging in explicit conduct, traveling to Danville to have sex with the victim, and capturing videos of the encounter using his smartphone.
Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves handed down the sentence, which is in line with federal law requiring Gladd to serve 85 percent of his prison term. Upon release, Gladd will be registered as a sex offender and placed under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for the rest of his life.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI and the Danville Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Melton, prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation.
Project Safe Childhood has been instrumental in combating the growing epidemic of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The initiative marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children online, while also identifying and rescuing victims.
In a statement, Carlton S. Shier, IV, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, expressed his commitment to protecting children from predators. He was joined by Jodi Cohen, Special Agent of the FBI, and Chief Tony Gray of the Danville Police Department in announcing the sentence.
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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