HINDMAN, Ky. (WMDJ) — A Kentucky State Police investigation into child sexual abuse material has led to 17 felony charges against a Knott County man.

KSP says its Electronic Crime Branch began investigating after finding that Jared Oneil Salmons, 46, was allegedly uploading sexually explicit images of juveniles to a social media account. Salmons was arrested October 13th at about 3:14 p.m. following an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation.

That day, investigators searched a residence in Leburn and seized equipment for examination at the KSP forensic laboratory. The investigation is ongoing.

Salmons is charged with 17 counts of distributing matter portraying a minor under 12 in a sexual performance. KSP says the charge is a Class C felony punishable by five to 10 years in prison. Salmons was lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail in Hazard.

The charges are allegations, and Salmons is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.