Local Man Receives 15 Years in Prison

Gregory Mathis, age 43, has pleaded guilty after an investigation found that he was using Facebook and Kik Messenger to solicit underage girls for nude photographs and videos.

Kentucky Attorney General, Jack Conway, and the Cybercrimes Unit have only been able to identify seven of the girls involved; they range in age from 10 – 15. The Cybercrime Unit has been working with police in multiple other states, including Oklahoma, Utah, New York, and Virginia, to help contact the victims.

Mathis’ deal gives him 15 years in prison for pleading guilty to 36 counts, including:

• 4 counts of promoting a sexual performance by a minor under 16 years old, Class B Felonies with a penalty of 10-20 years
• 3 counts of criminal attempt to promote a sexual performance by a minor under 16 years old, Class C Felonies with a penalty of 5-10 years
• 3 counts of prohibited use of an electronic communication system to procure a minor for a sex offense, Class D Felonies with a penalty of 1-5 years
• 26 counts of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, Class D Felonies with a penalty of 1-5 years.

Mathis will be formally sentenced in August. For more information on how to protect your children from internet predators, visit Cybersafety in Kentucky. To report cyber abuse, call the Cyber Tipline at 1-800-843-5678.