Christopher Whittaker Sentenced To Life In Prison For 92 Offenses Of Child Abuse, Child Molesting, Child Pornography, and Torturing A Cat
COVINGTON- On March 2, 2023, Christopher Michael Whittaker, 39, pleaded guilty to 84 felony offenses related to physical and sexual abuse of his girlfriend’s children, and 8 misdemeanor offenses for torturing the family’s pet cat, even though Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily J. Arnzen refused to offer Whittaker any plea deals. Arnzen made no secret of her plans to recommend a sentence of life in prison. On September 19, 2023, after hearing over four hours of evidence, testimony, and arguments from attorneys, Kenton Circuit Judge Patricia Summe agreed with Arnzen and sentenced Whittaker to ten life sentences.
Whittaker previously pleaded guilty to 3 counts of Complicity to Criminal Abuse 1st Degree, 4 counts of Complicity to Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Minor, 1 count of Complicity to Sexual Abuse 1st Degree, 10 counts of 1st Degree Sodomy (Child <12), 2 counts of 2nd Degree Sodomy (Child <14), 1 count of 3rd Degree Sodomy (Child <16), 3 counts of 2nd Degree Rape (Child <14), 1 count of 3rd Degree Rape (Child <16), 12 counts of 1st Degree Sexual Abuse (Child <12), 6 counts of 1st Degree Sexual Abuse (forcible compulsion), 33 counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Minor (Child <16), and 8 counts of Torture of a Dog or Cat. Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Emily Arnzen, who prosecuted the case with Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders, said "We told everyone we'd bury Christopher Whittaker under the prison since the case began, and this is as deep as Kentucky law allows us to dig!" Arnzen applauded Edgewood Police Detective James Kreinest's investigation, saying "Detective Kreinest armed me with the evidence needed to obtain a guilty verdict without a trial, and the maximum possible sentence!" Whittaker came to the attention of Edgewood Police after someone living in in the same residence found images and videos of child sexual abuse on Whittaker's computer, and contacted police. Authorities obtained a search warrant for Whittaker's residence and seized his computer and other electronic devices. Search of his computer recovered hundreds of images and videos depicting physical and sexual abuse of multiple children known to Whittaker. Whittaker was also visible in many of the videos, which also included the torture of a pet cat. Arnzen said, "I'm limited in what I can say about this defendant because he still has similar charges pending in Grant County, Kentucky, but no matter what happens there, the world is a better place with Christopher Whittaker behind bars." For additional information contact:
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders
rsanders@prosecutors.ky.gov
(859) 292-6580
Posted on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 @ 12:20AM
Categories: Blog, Commonwealth's Commentary, Media/Press Releases, Press Room
