LONDON, Ky. – A Middlesboro, Ky. resident was indicted yesterday on federal charges of attempted production of child pornography and receiving, distributing, and possessing child pornography.

A federal grand jury in London returned the four-count indictment against 30-year-old Jordan Ryan Turner, a teacher and assistant basketball coach at Bell County High School.  Turner was originally arrested on a state charge of using electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual activities.  A federal criminal complaint was filed against Turner and those charges were presented to the grand jury, which returned the indictment. 

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Amy Hess, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Richard Sanders, Commissioner of Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the charges.

The KSP and FBI have jointly conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Rosenberg represents the United States in the case.

Trial is currently scheduled for September 4, 2018.  If convicted on all counts, Turner faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and maximum of 90 years in prison.  However, any sentence following a conviction would come after the Court considers the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant federal statutes.

            Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.