Simpkins sentenced to 10 years

SALYERSVILLE – Last Thursday, a Magoffin County man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for crimes against children and a family dog.

In court on April 17, Kent Simpkins, 43 of Salyersville, was sentenced to 10 years per a plea agreement signed in November 2024, in which he pleaded guilty on the following charges: three counts of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under 12 (Class C felony); distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under 12 (Class C felony); two counts of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor over 12 (Class D felony); and sexual crime against an animal (Class D felony). The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office was recommending eight years on each Class C felony (Counts 1 – 4), to run concurrently, and two years on each Class D felony (Counts 5-7), to run concurrently, for a total of 10 years imprisonment.

In addition to the 10-year sentence, Simpkins, of Salyersville, will be a lifetime registrant on the Kentucky Sex Offender Registry and receive five years of post-incarceration supervision.

According to the Commonwealth Attorney’s offer, the case was initiated as a result of a cyber tip, with a detective assigned when a complaint was reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A search warrant for user information from Simpkins’ IP address and account returned five images of CSAM, numerous animal sex videos, and an image of the defendant engaging in oral sodomy with the family dog. One of the CSAM victims was able to be identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Detective Dials and Detective Chris Saunders went to Simpkins’ residence on February 6, 2024, to execute a search warrant of the residence and interview defendant. After being advised of his rights, Simpkins identified his account by his email address and later his username.

“This predator was already far down a dangerous path of criminal activity. We are grateful to the team of detectives and prosecutors whose dedicated efforts will ensure this man is kept far away from children,” said Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman in a press release issued on April 17 by his office.

The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crimes Branch investigated the case. Assistant Attorney General Lindsey Studebaker prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.

Simpkins was taken into custody after the hearing and is being held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center at press time.