Thomas Matthew Follmer, Child Enticement, Kentucky 2020

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In a disturbing trend, child exploitation cases have been on the rise in Kentucky during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Secret Service, and the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General are working together to combat this growing threat.

According to the FBI, there have been over 195 reports of incidents throughout the United States and in other countries where a video teleconferencing participant was able to broadcast a video depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The FBI considers this activity to be a violent crime, as every time child sexual abuse material is viewed, the depicted child is revictimized.

Parents should be aware of several signs that may indicate their child is in danger, including turning away from family and friends, receiving gifts through mail from someone they don’t know, making calls to unknown numbers, taking extra steps to conceal online activity, having online friends they don’t know in real life, hiding their activity online, and being overly protective of their devices.

Thomas Matthew Follmer, 48, of Louisville, Kentucky, was charged on April 20, 2020, with attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. The attempted enticement charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, a maximum potential sentence of life in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000.00, followed by no less than 5 years and could be up to a life term of Supervised Release.

Follmer’s case is part of a larger effort by law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation in Kentucky. The Kentucky State Police has also been a critical partner in these cases as a foundational part of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Other recent cases of child exploitation in Kentucky include those of Barrett Lawrence, 37, of Franklin, Kentucky, who was charged on May 8, 2020, with attempted receipt of child pornography, accessing with intent to view child pornography, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. Lawrence faces enhanced penalties due to a prior conviction for the attempted rape of a three-year-old. The combined mandatory minimum sentence is 15 years and potential maximum sentence is 120 years in prison, followed by no less than 5 years and could be up to a life term of Supervised Release. The maximum potential fine is $1,000,000.00.

Law enforcement agencies are urging parents to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at report.cybertip.org or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

As the investigation into child exploitation continues, law enforcement agencies are working together to protect Kentucky’s young people. The public is encouraged to stay alert and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdky/pr/ky-federal-state-law-enforcement-combatting-growing-threat-child-exploitation-during