Shelby County math teacher facing charges in a child exploitation case

Kentucky State Police say James Michael Powell, 41, shared child sexual abuse material online.

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Shelby County Public Schools told families and staff that a Collins High School staff member was arrested at the school on August 24- the same day Kentucky State Police announced the arrest of a Shelbyville man on child sexual exploitation charges. The district later confirmed Powell is a math teacher.

In a letter sent to families and staff on August 24, the district said it had "learned of the arrest of a Collins staff member at the school." The district said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and cannot release additional details due to the ongoing investigation. Based on the information available, the district said, there is no reason to believe the allegations are connected to any Shelby County Public School students.

The letter did not name the staff member or specify the charges. I have reached out to school administration for more information.

On Monday, KSP's Electronic Crime Branch announced the arrest of James Powell. Police said the arrest followed an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation that began after investigators discovered Powell sharing images of child sexual exploitation online. That led to a search warrant at a residence in Shelbyville, where investigators seized equipment they say was used to facilitate the crime; it's now at KSP's forensic lab for examination.

Powell faces 40 felony counts: ten counts each of distribution and possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance under age 12 (Class C felonies, five to ten years in prison), and ten counts each of distribution and possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance (Class D felonies, one to five years). He is being held at the Shelby County Detention Center.

About the task force

Powell's arrest was made through Kentucky's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a partnership of more than 26 local, state, and federal agencies created by the U.S. Department of Justice and administered by KSP.

The task force supports local law enforcement on cyber enticement and child sexual abuse material investigations, including forensic assistance, training, victim services, and prevention education.

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