NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (October 18, 2023) — The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Electronic Crime Branch arrested Darren Ruble, 29, on a charge related to a child sexual abuse material investigation.
Ruble was arrested as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after discovering the suspect sharing images of child sexual exploitation online. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP's forensic laboratory for further examination. The investigation remains ongoing.
Ruble was charged with one count of possessing matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor over the age of 12. Possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor over the age of 12 is a Class-D Felony punishable by one to five years in prison. Ruble was lodged in the Jessamine County Detention Center.
The Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is comprised of more than twenty-six local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The mission of the ICAC Task Force, created by the United States Department of Justice and administrated by the Kentucky State Police, is to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in developing a response to cyber enticement and child sexual abuse material investigations. This support encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, prevention and community education. The ICAC program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the internet, the proliferation of child sexual abuse material, and the heightened online activity of predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims.
