Man Arrested in Hazard on Child Exploitation Charges, KSP Investigates

Kentucky State Police arrested Bo D. Noble, 23, in Hazard on November 21, 2025, on felony charges related to alleged child sexual exploitation. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch conducted an undercover investigation after identifying communications and the exchange of images between Noble and a juvenile female. Troopers executed a search warrant at a Hazard residence that same day and seized electronic equipment believed to be connected to the alleged offenses. The devices were sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis.

Noble faces two felony counts, including one count of promoting a minor under the age of 16 in a sexual performance, a first degree Class B felony, and one count of prohibited use of an electronic communication system to produce a minor, a first degree Class D felony. According to reporting from local media, statutory penalties for the promoting a minor charge are typically 10 to 15 years, while penalties for the prohibited use of an electronic communication system charge are typically 1 to 5 years. Noble was taken to the Kentucky River Regional Jail following his arrest. The initial public account of the investigation and arrest was posted on November 21, 2025.

The case underscores the expanding role of specialized units in policing technology driven offenses. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch used undercover techniques to identify alleged communications, and law enforcement relied on a search warrant and forensic examination of electronic equipment to build the investigative record. For residents of Perry County, the investigation highlights both the capabilities and limits of current local responses to online child exploitation, especially when evidence requires digital forensic processing that can take time and specialized expertise.

Policy implications are immediate. Prosecutors will decide how to pursue the charges, and sentencing guidelines may shape final outcomes if convictions occur. At the county level, officials must weigh whether existing resources for child protection, school based safety education, and victim services are adequate to address crimes that move through encrypted and online platforms. Funding for training and forensic capacity at county law enforcement agencies and support for coordinated responses among police, child welfare agencies, and schools are likely to be topics of local concern.

For civic engagement, this arrest offers a moment for community discussion about prevention and public safety priorities. Voters and public officials can consider whether investment in digital crime training, community awareness programs, and victim support services should be part of upcoming budget and policy deliberations. The charges remain allegations until adjudicated in court, and the judicial process will determine legal outcomes in the weeks and months ahead.