LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Kentucky state representative whose social media photos were posted on a pornography website without her consent says she wants to help the victims and prevent future incidents from happening in the commonwealth.

Rep. Samara Heavrin, who represents Kentucky’s 18th District, including Grayson County, says she was among potentially hundreds of victims whose photos were taken and uploaded by 29-year-old Zackery Robinson, of Caneyville.

Robinson is accused of uploading more than 18,000 photos of women and children to the website, which features user content and advertises itself as a “moral-free file host where anything legal is hosted forever.”

Most of the photos were clothed images, but comments posted by users were sexually and personally degrading. Heavrin told the Herald-Leader the stolen images included Christmas pictures, senior photos for graduating high school students and general headshots.

“It was so disheartening,” Heavrin said. “So many women in my community were affected.”

Robinson faces 44 charges related to his use of the images, including possessing and distributing child porn and 27 counts of stalking.

He had been uploading photos to the website since 2020, but it was not reported to authorities until Sunday, Heavrin said.

“I really want to commend the Leitchfield Police Department, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky State Police for being prompt on their response and working diligently to get him behind bars,” Heavrin said.

Prosecutors said Wednesday they had received more than 300 calls from potential victims and parents of victims.

Heavin said the Grayson County community is known for coming together and supporting people during difficult times. Several people have shared empowering messages over social media and lists of counseling opportunities are being shared with the victims.

Heavrin also recommended parents have conversations with their kids about social media and the dangers it presents.

“Have the conversations of internet safety and how even though there might be people that we know, they might not always have good intentions with what they do,” Heavrin said. “But also sharing the same message — the people that were personally violated, none of this was their fault.”

Heavrin explores ways of preventing future incidents

While the investigation unfolds, Heavrin shared some potential ideas for preventing such incidents from happening in the future.

“I really want to take some time over the interim to talk, after the investigation is done, to talk to troopers, talk to different people and see what other states are doing.”

One idea Heavrin mentioned in an interview Wednesday was addressing Kentucky’s voyeurism law. The law states a person is guilty of voyeurism when someone looks at or uses an image recording device to view, photograph or videotape sexual conduct without consent.

Voyeurism is a class A misdemeanor in Kentucky, which is punishable by a maximum of 12 months in prison.

“If you make comments on things, comments that are meant to harm somebody like wanting to kill somebody and rape a corpse, that’s not protected by the First Amendment, and I think we got to be able to look at that and say that’s inappropriate,” Heavrin said.

Heavrin also wants to look at a state law that requires websites with content deemed “harmful to minors” to collect documents proving the user’s adulthood before allowing them access.

The website Robinson used didn’t meet the criteria for the law, and Heavrin wants to pursue closing potential loopholes.

“Do we need to include any file posting website or image board that would include image content?” Heavrin said.

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