Henry Ritscher, Child Pornography Production, Kentucky 2025

Child Pornography Ring Exposed in Johnson County, Kentucky: Local Man Faces 25 Years Behind Bars

A disturbing case of child exploitation has come to light in Johnson County, Kentucky, as a Gallipolis, Ohio, man, Henry Ritscher, 44, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for producing child pornography. The sentencing took place on Friday, with Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning handing down the severe punishment.

According to the plea agreement, on September 6, 2025, Ritscher produced child pornography of a minor child in Johnson County. The victim discovered a video depicting her showering and changing clothes, which appeared to be taken from a covert position in Ritscher’s bathroom. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on the same day and uncovered multiple electronic devices, including a covert camera hidden in a cell phone charging block that was used to produce the bathroom video.

Ritscher provided a statement to law enforcement in which he admitted to covertly recording the victim and using the videos to satisfy his sexual fantasies. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims.

The disturbing case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilant reporting and the need for continued efforts to protect our children from exploitation. As this case demonstrates, there is no tolerance for those who would prey on the vulnerable.

Ritscher’s 25-year sentence is a testament to the commitment of law enforcement and prosecutors to bring justice to victims of child exploitation.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Sex Crimes

Chad Michael Lehofer, Child Sexual Abuse Material Production, Virginia 2023

Oct 20, 2022

Sex Crimes

Curtis New Holy, Sexual Abuse, South Dakota 2026

Feb 25, 2026

Sex Crimes

David Morrison, Sex Trafficking, Child Pornography, Delaware 2026

Jan 12, 2026

Sex Crimes

Thomas Samborski II, Production of Child Pornography, Florida 2023

Nov 1, 2016