Kentucky
How organizations and police departments are fighting rising human trafficking in Kentucky
KENTUCKY (WKYT) – National media coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein case has shed light on the subject of sex trafficking.
Those who track these types of crimes say sex trafficking and exploitation are on the rise in Kentucky, saying the Commonwealth is in the top ten among other states.
Detective Ricky Lynn runs the kentucky state human trafficking task force. He’s been investigating sex trafficking cases for 19 years and says these types of crimes are on the rise.
Lynn says last year, the state’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services reported 500 children were trafficked. Research conducted by Detective Lynn shows that the COVID-19 pandemic era contributed to the increase.
“Those numbers in the state of Kentucky went up 40%. Kids were not in school; businesses were not open. So then at that point, it sparked a lot of research in the state of Kentucky, like how bad really is family-based trafficking,” Lynn said.
Detective Lynn recalls solving one case that revealed 36 sex crime victims.
Lynn says there are thousands of children sold online every day. These are websites that are not listed on the dark web.
Jani Lewis is the executive director of Natalie’s sisters, an organization designed to reach out to women who are sex trafficked and exploited. She says three factors play a role in these crimes: poverty, substance abuse and lack of employment.
sot lewis
“These are women not dressed up on the street corner, these are women who could be a housewife or a student just walking down the street,” Lewis said.
This could be a solution to the problem.
Secretary of State Michael Adams has launched a program called Kentucky Businesses Against Trafficking.
“We’re helping train them and their employees on how to spot the signs of human trafficking and also know how to report it to law enforcement,” said Secretary Adams.
You can find more information about Kentucky Businesses Against Trafficking on the Secretary of State’s website.
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PENDLETON CO., Ky. — A woman was killed, and two juveniles were seriously injured Friday night in a two-vehicle crash in Pendleton County, Kentucky State Police said.
Police said troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash near the 2600 block of US-27 around 9 p.m. Friday.
Troopers found that 67-year-old Sandra Barker was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox north on US-27 when she crossed the center line and struck a 2018 Ram truck that was being driven by a 57-year-old man.
Barker was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Two juveniles, who were passengers in the Ram truck, were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Police did not say if the 57-year-old driver of the truck was injured or not.
Troopers said the investigation into the crash is in the early stages, and it’s being reconstructed by Kentucky State Police’s Post 6 in Dry Ridge.
Troopers were assisted by the Pendleton County Coroner’s Office, Pendleton County EMS, Pendleton County Fire Department, Southern Campbell EMS, Northern Pendleton Fire/EMS and AirCare.
Replay: WCPO 9 News at 6PM
Is the mint julep overhyped? See what was said at Kentucky Derby 2026.
Courier Journal’s Keely Doll and Olivia Evans asked racegoers at the 152nd Kentucky Derby if the mint julep, a derby-staple, live up to its hype.
It’s National Mint Julep Day, a celebration of one of Kentucky’s most recognizable cocktails.
The popular bourbon drink has long been tied to Louisville and the Kentucky Derby. According to Churchill Downs, about 127,000 mint juleps are served over the two-day Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby weekend.
How to make a mint julep
Let’s Talk Derby: How to make a mint julep for the Kentucky Derby
It’s time for another ‘Let’s Talk Derby with Kathryn and Kirby’ video. Learn how to make the official drink of the Kentucky Derby: the mint julep.
How many mint juleps are served during Kentucky Derby weekend each year?
According to Churchill Downs, about 127,000 mint juleps are served over the two days of Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby weekend. This number of cocktails requires more than 10,000 bottles of bourbon, 2,250 pounds of freshly harvested mint and 475,000 pounds of ice.
The mint julep has been a traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century.
Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
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