A Baxter man was recently arrested after an investigation allegedly led to the discovery of sexual explicit material being exchanged back and forth with a minor.

Steven Ryan, 26, was arrested by Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch detectives on Oct. 16.

According to the press release, Ryan was arrested as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. Detectives from the KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after discovering Ryan was communicating and exchanging sexual explicit images with a juvenile female.

The investigation resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Baxter. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination.

Ryan was charged with first-degree promoting a minor in a sexual performance (under 16), first-degree prohibited use of electronic communication system to procure a minor and first-degree distribution of obscene matter to a minor.

First-degree promoting of a minor in a sexual performance is a class-B felony and is punishable by 10 to 15 years in prison. First-degree prohibited use of an electronic communication system to procure a minor and first-degree distribution of obscene matter to a minor are class-D felonies punishable by one to five years in prison.

Ryan was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center with no bond currently set.

This is an ongoing investigation.

In other police activity:

• Jason Shepherd, 38, of Lynch, was arrested by Kentucky State Police troopers on Oct. 6. He was charged with second-degree criminal trespassing and theft by unlawful taking (more than $500 but under $10,000). He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $1,000 full-cash bond;

• William Delph, 34, of Lejunior, was arrested by Kentucky State Police troopers on Oct. 6. He was charged with flagrant non-support, public intoxication of controlled substance (excluding alcohol) and contempt of court. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on an unsecured bond amount of $3,500 and a $3,000 full-cash bond with bail credit;

• Donald Mekoliavitch, 63, of Evarts, was arrested by Harlan City Police Department officers on Oct. 7. He was charged with failure to wear seat belts, failure to produce insurance card, no registration receipt, no registration plates, failure to register transfer of motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, license plate not legible, first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine) and tampering with physical evidence. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $5,000 full-cash bond;

• Carolyn Thomas, 37, of Dayhoit, was arrested by Kentucky State Police troopers on Oct. 7. She was charged with two counts failure to appear, criminal possession of medical records, first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), first- and second-degree possession of controlled substance (drug unspecified) and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $3,500 unsecured bond and a $3,000 full-cash bond, 10 percent with bail credit;

• Brian Short, 34, of Evarts, was arrested by Harlan County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Oct. 7. He was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, first-degree trafficking controlled substance (greater than or equal to 2 grams methamphetamine) and second-degree possession of controlled substance (drug unspecified). He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $3,500 unsecured bond;

• Verdie Myers, 63, of Baxter, was arrested by Kentucky State Police troopers on Oct. 7. He was charged with first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), operation of motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs/alcohol and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center with no bond set;

• Caleb Ford, 25, of Harlan, was arrested by Harlan County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Oct. 8. He was charged with two counts first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), two counts possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with physical evidence and third-degree possession of controlled substance (drug unspecified). He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center with no bond set;

• Ronald Nolan, 31, of Nolansburg, was arrested by Loyall Police Department officers on Oct. 11. He was charged as a fugitive from another state (warrant required) and was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $5,000 full-cash bond;

• Oney Brown, 34, of Cumberland, was arrested by Harlan County Detention Center officials on Oct. 13. He was charged with a serving parole violation warrant and receiving stolen property (under $10,000). He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $1,500 full-cash bond;

• Freeman Saylor, 48, of Evarts, was arrested by Harlan County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Oct. 16. He was charged as a persistent felony offender II with first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), excessive window/windshield tinting, possession of drug paraphernalia, no operator’s license, failure to register transfer of motor vehicle, failure of owner to maintain required insurance, failure to produce insurance card, no registration receipt and no registration plates. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center with no bond set.