A Kentucky-based YouTuber known as “Mr. Crafty Pants” has been arrested on nearly 30 counts related to child p*rnography.
Michael David Booth, 39, was taken into custody on Wednesday, October 22, after authorities traced disturbing content shared through the messaging app Kik back to his home in the quiet suburb of Prospect, per Fox56.
Booth, a popular crafting content creator with over 594,000 YouTube subscribers and hundreds of thousands more followers on Facebook and Instagram, is accused of sharing explicit material involving minors - some under the age of 12 - between August 4 and August 7.
Tip-Off From Kik Leads Investigators to Booth
The investigation began when law enforcement received a tip that files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) were being distributed from Booth’s Kik account.
According to court documents from the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, a warrant executed on the account uncovered two “selfie-type” images allegedly confirming Booth was behind the activity.
The arrest citation reveals that Booth sent explicit files of children under 12 years old to other users on “at least 10 occasions” and shared images of teens aged between 12 and 18 “on at least 15 occasions.”
He was also found to be in possession of six illegal photos - three featuring children under 12 and three depicting teenagers.
“It Feels Like a Gut Punch” — Community in Shock
Neighbors in Booth’s typically peaceful neighborhood were stunned by the arrest. Laura Nash, who lives across the street, described the overwhelming police presence on the day of the arrest.
“So we walked out our front door on Wednesday to a very heavy police presence,” Nash told WDRB. “My heart dropped. Felt sick to my stomach. It was gut-wrenching and eye-opening.”
Speaking to Wave News, she added: “It feels like a gut punch. It makes you feel really vulnerable. It’s terrifying, as a mom, to hear about something like this. It just makes you realize that you’re not safe anywhere.”
Nash also said she immediately asked her children if they had ever interacted with Booth and expressed concern about his online activity.
“I know that he followed a bunch of my friends online, so it’s worrying to me to wonder what he may have been viewing of their life,” she said. “It’s an eye-opener for sure.”
Another neighbor, Lindsay Smart, commented on the unsettling irony of a Halloween sign in Booth’s yard that read: “I smell children.”
“You feel like you know your neighbors, but what goes on behind closed doors… I guess we never know,” Smart said. “It’s sickening, it’s disgusting, and I’m glad he got caught.”
Facing 29 Charges and a Judge
Booth has been charged with the following:
- 10 counts of distributing matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under age 12
- 15 counts of distributing matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor over age 12 but under age 18
- Three counts of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under 12
- One count of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor over age 12 but under age 18 – first offense
Booth appeared in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges. His bond was initially reported as $150,000 by Wave News, but court records from WDRB show it set at $100,000 cash.
If released, he would be placed on home detention and prohibited from having any contact with minors or accessing the internet and social media.