ASHLAND, Ky. — A Pike County man has pleaded guilty in a federal child porn case that officials say involved thousands of images.

Michael Wayne Hilliary, 58, of McCarr, pleaded guilty Monday to possessing child porn.

Hilliary was arrested May 15, after police with a search warrant raided his home and found 20 pictures and videos of child porn on his computer. Later, a forensic examination of the computer revealed more than 10,000 pornographic files children, as well as 41,000 other “files of interest.” Some of the children in the files were as young as toddlers.

Because the victim in the case was younger than 12, Hilliary faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced July 31.

The post Pike man pleads guilty in federal child porn case appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Pike County man has now been indicted on a federal child porn charge.

Michael Hilliary, 57, of McCarr, has now been charged with a single count of possession of child porn.

Hilliary was arrested May 15, after police with a search warrant raided his home and found 20 pictures and videos of child porn on his computer. Later, a forensic examination of the computer revealed more than 10,000 child porn files, as well as 41,000 other “files of interest.”

Because the victim in the case was younger than 12, Hilliary faces up to 20 years in prison, if he is convicted.

The post Pike man indicted on child porn charge appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Pike County man arrested on 20 counts of possessing child porn back in May has now seen his case bumped up to federal court.

And in court filings, investigators say the case now involves thousands of pictures and videos, with many of victims younger than 12.

Michael Wayne Hilliary, 57, of McCarr, was arrested May 15, after police with a search warrant raided his home and found 20 pictures and videos of child porn on his computer.

However, according to an affidavit filed in federal court, a forensic examination of the computer revealed more than 10,000 child porn files, as well as 41,000 other “files of interest,” some of which have been confirmed to contain child porn.

Federal court documents describe graphic abuse, including that of a toddler who could be seen with a pacifier in her mouth.

Hilliary is currently facing one federal charge of possession of child porn involving a prepubescent minor, but more could come once the case goes before a grand jury. He remains in the Pike County Detention Center where he has been held since his arrest.

The post Child porn case heads to federal court, as investigators say thousands of images discovered appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

McCARR, Ky. — A Pike County man has been charged with 20 counts of possessing child porn, and earned additional charges when police raided his home.

Michael Wayne Hilliary, 57, of McCarr, is charged with 20 counts of possessing child porn, four counts of felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of felon in possession of a handgun.

Kentucky State Police went to serve a search warrant on Hilliary’s home as part of an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. During their search, police found at least 20 pornographic pictures and videos of children younger than 12 on his computer.

Hilliary reportedly admitted to police that he downloaded the material.

Police also found seven guns in his home, despite a previous felony conviction.

Hilliary is currently being held in the Pike County Detention Center on a $200,000 cash bond.

The post Pike man arrested on child porn, gun charges appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

McCARR, Ky. — A Pike County man is dead following a side-by-side crash over the weekend.

It happened just before midnight on Saturday. According to Kentucky State Police, Dalton Mounts, 29, of Freeburn, was operating a Polaris RZR on Route 1056, when the vehicle left the roadway and overturned.

A passenger on the side-by-side, Michael Sincell, 28, of Freeburn, died at the scene.

KSP continues to investigate the incident.

The post Pike man killed in UTV crash appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Pike County man has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for his role in a meth distribution conspiracy.

Brian Keith Wells, 45, of McCarr, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than half a kilogram of meth. In his plea agreement, he admitted to distributing more than 3 lbs. of meth in Pike and Mingo counties over a period of 16 months.

His girlfriend and codefendant — Christina Tidwell, 33, of McCarr — was sentenced last week to 6-and-a-half years in prison.

The post Wells sentenced for meth conspiracy appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Pike County woman has been sentenced to 6-and-a-half years in prison, after pleading guilty to federal drug charges.

Christina Tidwell, 33, of McCarr, pleaded guilty back in May to conspiring to distribute meth. On Monday, a judge entered a judgment sentencing her to 78 months in prison.

In her plea agreement, she admitted to helping her boyfriend, Brian Keith Wells, 45, sell drugs in Pike and Mingo counties.

Wells has also pleaded guilty in the case. His sentencing is set for next week.

The post Pike woman sentenced for meth conspiracy appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — One week after her co-defendant entered a guilty plea in a federal drug case, a Pike County woman is asking to do the same.

Christina Tidwell, 33, of McCarr, is currently charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of meth. The charge carries a potential sentence ranging from 10 years to life in prison.

On April 26, her co-defendant, Brian Keith Wells, 44, also of McCarr, pleaded guilty to the same charge.

Now, Tidwell says she has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. A judge has scheduled a rearraignment hearing for Wednesday.

The post Pike woman asks to plead guilty in federal drug case appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Pike County man pleaded guilty Monday to a federal drug conspiracy charge.

Brian Keith Wells, 44, of McCarr, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of meth, from November of 2018 until February of 2020. He now faces between 10 years and life in prison, when he is sentenced in August.

Wells was charged along with 33-year-old Christina Tidwell. The case against her remains pending.

The post Wells pleads guilty to meth trafficking conspiracy appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Pike County man has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and is now asking to plead guilty to federal drug charges.

Brian Keith Wells, 44, of McCarr, was indicted along with Christina Tidwell, 33, also of McCarr, on a single charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of meth, from November of 2018 to February of 2020.

The carries a potential penalty of between 10 years and life in prison, but it is not known if Wells plans to plead guilty to that or a lesser charge.

Charges remain pending against Tidwell. She is scheduled to go on trial May 5.

Both defendants are currently being held in the Pike County Detention Center.

The post Pike man asks to plead guilty in federal drug case appeared first on Mountain Top Media.