Kentucky Legislator Files Bill to Criminalize Nonconsensual Image Sharing

Proposed law aims to protect victims after Grayson County man posted thousands of photos on porn site

Mar. 16, 2026 at 5:40pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Leitchfield Republican Samara Heavrin has filed House Bill 836 in response to a Caneyville man, Zackery Robinson, posting thousands of photos of women and girls from Grayson County on a pornography website. The legislation would criminalize the malicious, nonconsensual distribution of images on the internet.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing issue of nonconsensual image sharing, which can cause significant harm and trauma to victims. The proposed legislation aims to provide legal recourse and protection for Kentuckians against this type of exploitation in the digital age.

The details

Robinson, 31, culled photos from Facebook and other social media sites and posted the pictures on the website motherless.com. He was confronted online about the photos on May 4, 2025, which resulted in an investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies. Robinson was indicted on several charges, including promoting a minor in a sex performance and distributing matter portraying a sex performance by a minor.

  • On May 4, 2025, Robinson was confronted online about the photos.
  • On July 11, 2025, Robinson was indicted by a Grayson County Grand Jury on multiple charges.
  • House Bill 836 was filed by Heavrin on March 10, 2026 and sent to the House Judiciary Committee.

The players

Zackery Robinson

A 31-year-old man from Caneyville, Kentucky who posted thousands of photos of women and girls from Grayson County on a pornography website.

Samara Heavrin

A Republican state legislator from Leitchfield, Kentucky who filed House Bill 836 in response to the Zackery Robinson case.

Grayson County Sheriff's Office

One of the law enforcement agencies that investigated the Zackery Robinson case.

Kentucky State Police

One of the law enforcement agencies that investigated the Zackery Robinson case.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Many people from my district were victims of this kind of exploitation last year, and, currently, there is no law preventing someone from taking a public photo off the internet and reposting it with the intent to harm the person depicted.”

— Samara Heavrin, State Representative

“In this digital age, changes must be made to protect Kentuckians from this kind of harm.”

— Samara Heavrin, State Representative

What’s next

The House Judiciary Committee will consider House Bill 836 and decide whether to advance the legislation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for stronger legal protections against nonconsensual image sharing, which can have devastating consequences for victims. The proposed legislation aims to provide a legal remedy and send a clear message that this type of exploitation will not be tolerated in Kentucky.