Somerset Man Sentenced to 32 Years in Federal Prison; Additional State Charges Pending

Pulaski County Sheriff Bobby Jones reports that a joint investigation by the Pulaski County
Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Division and the FBI has resulted in a
32-year federal prison sentence for a Somerset man.
On November 4, 2026, Jesus Chavez, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge
Robert E. Wier after previously pleading guilty to two counts of Production of
Child Pornography.
Detective Ryan Jones served as the lead detective for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s
Office in the joint investigation.
According to Chavez’s plea agreement, during October and November 2022, he
used a hidden camera paired with his cellphone to record himself engaging in
sexual acts with a minor victim.
Chavez also faces additional charges in state court. In 2025, he was indicted in
Pulaski Circuit Court on multiple counts involving offenses including Rape in the
Third Degree; Use of a Minor Under 16 in a Sexual Performance; Promoting a
Sexual Performance by a Minor Under 16 Years of Age; Sodomy in the Third
Degree; and Human Trafficking involving a victim under 18 years of age. His next
appearance in Pulaski Circuit Court is scheduled for January 7, 2027.
Chavez also faces two multicount indictments returned in 2024 involving similar
offenses, including one in Russell County. His next court appearance in Russell
County is scheduled for November 10, 2026. Detective Ryan Jones is the
investigator for these state cases.
The federal case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship on
behalf of the United States. The investigation was part of Project Safe Childhood, a
nationwide Department of Justice initiative that brings together federal, state, and
local resources to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse and to identify and
rescue victims.
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office recognizes Detective Ryan Jones, the FBI, and
the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in the federal investigation and
prosecution.
The pending state charges are accusations. Chavez is presumed innocent of those
charges unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.