Michelle Bray Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For 9 Offenses Of Human Trafficking, Criminal Abuse 1st Degree, Sexual Abuse 1st Degree, and Promoting a Sexual Performance By a Minor
COVINGTON- On October 3, 2023, a Kenton County jury convicted Michelle Bray of 9 felony offenses related to physical and sexual abuse of children, Promoting a Sexual Performance By a Minor, and Human Trafficking. The same jury subsequently recommended Bray serve 30 years in prison for her crimes. On December 6, 2023, Kenton Circuit Judge Patricia Summe imposed the jury’s recommendation and sentenced Bray to 30 years in prison.
During the course of a five day trial, the jury watched hundreds of videos filmed by Bray’s then-boyfriend, Christopher Whittaker. Some of the videos depicted Bray and Whittaker engaged in a fetish known as “trampling” wherein one person derives sexual pleasure by watching another person stepping or standing on people or objects. Subsequent videos depicted Bray stepping on a small child. Other videos showed Bray teaching a different child how to participate in “trampling” by stepping on Whittaker. The same child was also seen being raped, sodomized, and sexually abused by Whittaker in videos without Bray.
By convicting Bray of Human Trafficking, the jury found Bray provided Whittaker with access to the children, knowing Whittaker was using the children for “commercial sexual activity” which, under Kentucky law, includes the production of child pornography.
Whittaker opted against a jury trial and pleaded guilty to 92 offenses knowing prosecutors refused to make any plea offers. Days before the beginning of Bray’s trial, Whittaker was sentenced to the maximum of ten life sentences.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily Arnzen, who prosecuted the case with Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders, said “The sheer volume of evidence against Bray and Whittaker was overwhelming.” Arnzen said though the jury watched the children be physically and sexually abused every day of the week-long trial, it was still a relatively small sample from the hundreds and hundreds of images and videos. “I think every one in the room was crying at some point during this trial,” said Arnzen, “But the most shocking thing was Michelle Bray was the last to shed any tears.”
Arnzen applauded Edgewood Police Detective James Kreinest’s investigation, saying “Detective Kreinest armed me with the evidence needed to obtain a guilty verdict and was relentless in his dedication to justice for the children!”
Whittaker came to the attention of Edgewood Police after someone in the 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. Whittaker was visible in many of the videos, which also included the torture of a pet cat. Bray was arrested after detectives discovered the videos depicting her engaging in “trampling” with Whittaker and the children, during the search of Whittaker’s computer.
Arnzen said, “I was actually surprised the jury only imposed a 30 year sentence for Michelle Bray because in addition to her crimes being repulsive, she showed absolutely no remorse, but we respect their judgement.” Arnzen said she hopes “These children can begin to heal knowing they will be grown ups before there is any chance of Michelle Bray or Christopher Whittaker getting out of prison.” Each must serve 20 years before being eligible for parole.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders noted this was Kenton County’s first jury conviction for Human Trafficking, but sadly, probably will not be the last. “Kentucky law’s inclusion of child pornography in the definition of ‘commercial sexual activity’ allows prosecutors to aggressively pursue justice against those who exploit children for their own sexual gratification,” said Sanders. “Unfortunately the number of people exploiting children only seems to be growing, but that’s why we have prisons.” Sanders said.
For additional information contact:
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders
Posted on Thursday, December 7th, 2023 @ 12:19AM
Categories: Blog, Commonwealth's Commentary, Media/Press Releases, Press Room
