Child porn case to be heard by grand jury

A Williamsburg man facing nearly two dozen child porn charges will have his case heard by a Whitley County grand jury next month. 

Tanner Isaiah Caine Petrey, 24, appeared in Whitley District Court for a scheduled preliminary hearing Monday morning, though no testimony was presented to the court. Instead, Petrey’s attorney elected to waive the hearing, sending the case on to a grand jury where prosecutors will seek an indictment in the case.

Petrey is facing 20 count of distributing matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor over the age of 12 years old but under the age of 18 years old.

He was arrested June 27 following an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation by the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crimes Branch, according to a release.

“The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after receiving a complaint that the suspect was sharing sexually explicit images of juveniles to an online social media account. The investigation resulted in seizing electronic devices from Mr. Petrey and (from) his home in Williamsburg. These devices, believed to have been used to facilitate the crime, were taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination,” the release stated.

According to Petrey’s arrest citation, he allegedly admitted to “sending and receiving numerous files.” It also noted that additional charges may be pending further forensic examination.

Petrey currently remains jailed in the Whitley County Detention Center.