Kentucky Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Online Exploitation of a Minor

ASHLAND, KENTUCKY — A federal court has sentenced a Leslie County man to a lengthy prison term after determining he attempted to coerce a minor into producing sexually explicit material through online communications, a case prosecutors say reflects the persistent use of social media platforms to target children.

Finley Wooton, 33, of Hyden, Kentucky, was sentenced to 180 months (15 years) in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning following his conviction for attempted production of child pornography. Under federal sentencing rules, Wooton will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for release.

According to court records and the defendant’s plea agreement, the offense occurred on April 10, 2023, when Wooton engaged in a conversation with a minor victim using Facebook Messenger. During the exchange, Wooton transmitted sexually explicit images of himself and requested sexually explicit images in return. Federal prosecutors stated that these actions constituted an attempt to persuade and induce a minor to create child sexual abuse material, triggering severe federal penalties.

Authorities emphasized that attempted production offenses are treated with the same gravity as completed acts because they demonstrate intent to exploit and endanger a minor, regardless of whether images are ultimately produced. Prosecutors noted that online messaging platforms are frequently used by offenders to lower inhibitions, normalize sexual content, and pressure victims into compliance.

In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered that Wooton be placed under 10 years of supervised release following his incarceration. During that period, he will be subject to strict conditions imposed by the U.S. Probation Office, including monitoring and restrictions designed to prevent contact with minors and reduce the risk of reoffense.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in coordination with the Kentucky State Police. Federal officials credited joint investigative efforts with identifying the online activity, preserving digital evidence, and securing the conviction.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship on behalf of the United States. Federal authorities stated that cases involving attempted online exploitation of minors remain a priority due to the rapid scale at which offenders can reach victims and the long-term harm such conduct inflicts.

Officials reiterated that individuals charged in federal court are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, and noted that Wooton’s conviction resulted from a guilty plea. With sentencing now complete, federal authorities stated that the outcome reflects continued enforcement efforts aimed at disrupting online child exploitation and holding offenders accountable under federal law.

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