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Ashland man still faces state time for videoing child sexual abuse
Daily Independent - 4/5/2024
Apr. 5—GREENUP — Attorneys said an Ashland man who received a 45-year federal prison sentence for manufacturing child pornography is nearing a plea deal on the state level.
William L. Ferguson, 28, was indicted by a grand jury in Greenup County in 2022 on charges of first-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse and five counts of using a minor in a sexual performance.
Although awaiting his transfer to a federal prison, Commonwealth's attorneys show no signs of relenting their prosecution of Ferguson.
Per previous reports, Ferguson was charged initially on the state level after a search of his cellphone revealed multiple images of Ferguson sexually assaulting a toddler.
Ferguson was later indicted federally in connection to the production of the sexual abuse materials, which he pled guilty to in February.
The Commonwealth's case against Ferguson is still pending, according to his court appointed attorney Charles Oppenheimer.
Oppenheimer said Ferguson received a plea offer from the prosecution to resolve the state level case, but the defense needed additional time to discuss the plea or possible counter to the offer.
According to federal court documents, Ferguson subjected a three-year-old to sexual abuse on multiple occasions throughout April and May of 2022, resulting in nearly 20 still images and one video.
On one occasion, federal prosecutors noted the child appeared to be sleeping during the abuse.
Ferguson entered a guilty plea in United States District Court of the Eastern District of Kentucky to two counts of producing visual depictions involving a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
It is unclear if Ferguson's federal sentence will run in addition to any state time or if the sentence will run concurrently, meaning the sentence will not be stacked.
Oppenheimer requested at least a week to discuss the recent offer from state prosecutors.
Ferguson is currently held in Greenup County Detention Center.
Under federal law, Ferguson must serve at least 85% of his 45-year sentence and will be subject to court oversight 20 years following his release.
(606) 6326-2652 — mjepling@dailyindependent.com
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