A Shepherdsville man was arrested Tuesday and accused of seeking sex with a minor.
Attorney General Andy Beshear and his Cyber Crimes Unit announced on Wednesday 24 year-old Jonathen Howerton was charged with prohibited use of an electronic system to procure a minor for sex.
According to cyber investigators, Howerton initially met an undercover investigator from Beshear’s office, who was posing as a minor, in an online chat room. Howerton then used the Kik messenger app to communicate over the internet for several days.
According to a news release from the attorney general’s office, Howerton requested to meet the person he believed was a minor in order to engage in sexual acts. When Howard arrived for the intended encounter in Jeffersontown, he was arrested.
The Attorney General’s office said Howerton was armed with a handgun. He told investigators he worked as a security guard.
Howerton was arraigned on Wednesday in Jefferson County Circuit Court, where a judge ordered him to stay away from minors and computers. Bond was set at $50,000.
The Attorney General’s office says since Beshear took office on January 4, his Cyber Crimes Unit has arrested or convicted 26 sexual predators.
Source: WAVE
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