Elsmere Man Arrested On Child Pornography Charges

Ritter was arrested on Friday, June 5.

(Kenton Co., Ky.) - An Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation beginning in May led to a Kenton County man arrested for child pornography at the end of last week. 

On Friday, Preston Ritter, Jr., 34, was arrested on 45 counts of Possession or Viewing of Matter Portraying a Sexual Performance by a Minor (Class D Felony) after a search of his home on the 1600 block of Garvey Avenue in Elsmere, Kentucky.

An investigation began on May 11 when a Kenton County detective received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about the possession of child pornography. 

On Friday, June 5, a search warrant was issued at Ritter's home where the Kenton County Regional SWAT unit and the Elsmere Police Department found evidence of Ritter obtaining child pornography and arrested him. 

Police say Ritter can face up to five years on each count. 

"The Kenton County Police Department would like to stress the importance of keeping children and teenagers safe as a result of their use and interactions on the internet," says the Kenton County Police Department. "To help facilitate this, the department would like to make available instruction and information to parents, schools, and community groups on how to foster a protective environment and enable children and teenagers to stay safe while on the internet. Please contact Captain Gary Helton at (859) 392-1953 for further information."