Kentucky YouTuber ‘Mr. Crafty Pants’ Arrested After Police Say He Shared Child Porn Images Online
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY — A popular YouTube influencer known as “Mr. Crafty Pants” has been arrested on child pornography charges after authorities say he shared explicit sexual images of minors online.
The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Michael David Booth, was taken into custody Wednesday after investigators traced disturbing images shared on the social media messaging app Kik to his home in Norton Commons, a Louisville neighborhood.
Booth, who boasts nearly 600,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel dedicated to arts and crafts tutorials, was charged with possession and distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, according to Wave News.
Police Trace Illegal Content to YouTuber’s Home
Investigators said the case began in August, when the Kik app flagged Booth’s account for uploading six explicit photos, including images of children under 12 and teenagers, which were shared more than 15 times with other users between August 4 and August 7.
Authorities traced the flagged IP address to Booth’s Louisville residence, where they executed a search warrant. Booth was then taken into custody without incident.
“It’s scary to think what he could have had access to,” said neighbor Laura Nash, who described the arrest as “a gut punch” to their family-friendly neighborhood. “It just makes you realize you’re not safe anywhere.”
Police confirmed that Booth maintained active accounts on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, where he collectively had over 250,000 additional followers.
Community Shocked by Arrest of Influencer
Booth’s YouTube channel, “Mr. Crafty Pants,” features videos on crafting with smart cutting machines and had built a large audience within the DIY community. His last upload was four months ago, though he remained active on social media until the day before his arrest.
Neighbors said Booth appeared to lead a quiet suburban life, making the allegations even more unsettling.
“He followed a bunch of my friends online,” Nash added. “It’s worrying to wonder what he may have been viewing of their lives.”
Charges and Court Proceedings
Booth was formally charged with possession and distribution of child pornography. At his Thursday arraignment, his bond was set at $150,000. If released, Booth will be placed on home detention and barred from internet access.
He is scheduled to return to court on Friday as the investigation continues.
As police and federal agencies work to determine whether Booth shared additional illegal content, the case serves as a stark reminder of how easily online platforms can be exploited. For updates on criminal investigations and public safety in Kentucky, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.