Former Georgetown funeral home director accused of uploading child porn online
A former funeral home director in Georgetown has been charged after allegedly uploading child pornography online, according to court documents.
James Chaney, 58, was indicted July 10 on three counts of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor younger than 12 and one count of distribution of matter portraying sexual performance by a minor younger than 12. The indictment says Chaney distributed or intended to distribute child pornography and possessed matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor.
Chaney previously owned a funeral home in Georgetown, according to LEX 18. His charges are not connected to his work, the news station reported.
In May 2024, the Kentucky State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip about Chaney’s alleged behavior. Court documents say Chaney, using a Kik Messenger account, uploaded four files of child pornography, one of which was a sexually explicit image of a prepubescent minor.
Days after receiving the tip, investigators executed a search warrant to Charter Communications for the IP address used to upload the files. Court documents indicate the results of the warrant connected Chaney and his home to the IP address.
Investigators also searched the Kik Messenger account that uploaded the files. The account user described himself as a man in his 50s who lives near Georgetown, matching Chaney’s description, per court documents.
Investigators executed a search warrant Chaney’s home July 3. Court documents say investigators seized USB drives, SD cards, cellphones, an iPad, laptop and a roll of film.
Chaney was indicted July 10, according to court documents. He was arrested five days later but released the same day after posting a $100,000 bond. It is unclear if Chaney has an attorney.
