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A former Murray Police Department detective sergeant pleaded not guilty this week to multiple charges of sexual offences involving a minor, as the criminal case against him moved to the circuit court level.
Brandon Kyle Yancy, 38, formerly of Murray, entered his plea on May 20th before Calloway Circuit Court Judge Charles Boteler. Yancy faces three counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of use of a minor in a sexual performance, and one count of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor — charges that collectively carry a potential sentence of decades in prison.
Yancy was first arrested in February following an investigation by the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch, which was contacted after a tip through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline. KSP executed a search warrant at his Murray residence and seized electronic devices. A grand jury indicted Yancy in April.
The former officer had served with the Murray Police Department for approximately nine years in the criminal investigations division. He was placed on administrative leave after his initial arrest and terminated before the indictment was returned. Murray Police Chief Brian Edwards confirmed the department cooperated fully with the KSP investigation.
Judge Boteler appointed the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy to represent Yancy. A trial date has not yet been set. Yancy remains free on a $100,000 surety bond with conditions prohibiting contact with minors and requiring GPS monitoring. His next court appearance is a status conference scheduled for July 14th.
First-degree sexual abuse in Kentucky is a Class D felony. Use of a minor in a sexual performance is a Class B felony carrying a sentence of ten to twenty years per count.