Topline: The Prospect, Kentucky, man, whose videos drew hundreds of thousands of viewers, was arrested after a national tip led police to his Kik account.
Published: October 28, 2025 3:33 pm ET
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Michael Booth (via Louisville Metro Department of Corrections)
LOUISVILLE, KY — A Louisville-area social media influencer known for his cheerful crafting tutorials is now at the center of a disturbing criminal case involving child pornography, according to police and court records.
Authorities said 39-year-old Michael David Booth, of Prospect, was arrested Wednesday and charged with more than 20 counts of distributing material that portrays a sexual performance by a minor, WDRB reported.
Some of the images involved children under the age of 12.
Investigators told WAVE that Booth, who goes by “Mr. Crafty Pants” online, built a massive following through videos teaching DIY and arts-and-crafts projects using smart cutting machines. His YouTube channel boasts over half a million subscribers, and his Facebook and Instagram pages together attract more than 250,000 followers.
But behind the carefully curated online persona, detectives said they uncovered troubling evidence. According to police and WDRB, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities to a Kik account believed to be sharing explicit images of minors between August 5 and August 7. A subpoena later linked that account to Booth’s home address, WAVE reported.
When officers executed a search warrant, WDRB said they found multiple files of child sexual abuse material, including images depicting children under 12 and others between 12 and 18. Files involving the youngest victims were reportedly shared at least 10 times, while others were distributed at least 15 times, investigators said.
Neighbors in Booth’s Norton Commons neighborhood described a tense scene as police descended on the home. “So we walked out our front door on Wednesday to a very heavy police presence,” neighbor Laura Nash told WDRB. “My heart dropped. Felt sick to my stomach. It was gut-wrenching and eye-opening.”
Nash, who moved to the community for its family-friendly atmosphere, told WAVE she immediately spoke with her children after learning of the arrest. “It makes you feel really vulnerable,” she said. “It’s terrifying, as a mom, to hear about something like this. It just makes you realize that you’re not safe anywhere.”
Another neighbor, Lindsay Smart, said the news was especially unsettling given Booth’s seemingly harmless image. “You feel like you know your neighbors, but what goes on behind closed doors… I guess we never know,” Smart told WDRB. “It’s sickening, it’s disgusting, and I’m glad he got caught.”
A Halloween sign in Booth’s yard reading, “I smell children,” also drew renewed unease in the neighborhood, according to WDRB.
Booth appeared in Jefferson County District Court Thursday morning, where a judge set his bond at $100,000 full cash, ordered no contact with minors, and banned any internet or social media use. If he posts bond, WAVE reported, he will be placed on home incarceration. Booth entered a plea of not guilty to all charges and remains held at Metro Corrections as the investigation continues.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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YouTuber Known as ‘Mr. Crafty Pants’ Faces 20 Child Porn Charges
The Prospect, Kentucky, man, whose videos drew hundreds of thousands of viewers, was arrested after a national tip led police to his Kik account.
By Jacob Charles
Published: October 28, 2025 3:33 pm ET
Michael Booth (via Louisville Metro Department of Corrections)
LOUISVILLE, KY — A Louisville-area social media influencer known for his cheerful crafting tutorials is now at the center of a disturbing criminal case involving child pornography, according to police and court records.
Authorities said 39-year-old Michael David Booth, of Prospect, was arrested Wednesday and charged with more than 20 counts of distributing material that portrays a sexual performance by a minor, WDRB reported.
Some of the images involved children under the age of 12.
Investigators told WAVE that Booth, who goes by “Mr. Crafty Pants” online, built a massive following through videos teaching DIY and arts-and-crafts projects using smart cutting machines. His YouTube channel boasts over half a million subscribers, and his Facebook and Instagram pages together attract more than 250,000 followers.
But behind the carefully curated online persona, detectives said they uncovered troubling evidence. According to police and WDRB, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities to a Kik account believed to be sharing explicit images of minors between August 5 and August 7. A subpoena later linked that account to Booth’s home address, WAVE reported.
When officers executed a search warrant, WDRB said they found multiple files of child sexual abuse material, including images depicting children under 12 and others between 12 and 18. Files involving the youngest victims were reportedly shared at least 10 times, while others were distributed at least 15 times, investigators said.
Neighbors in Booth’s Norton Commons neighborhood described a tense scene as police descended on the home. “So we walked out our front door on Wednesday to a very heavy police presence,” neighbor Laura Nash told WDRB. “My heart dropped. Felt sick to my stomach. It was gut-wrenching and eye-opening.”
Nash, who moved to the community for its family-friendly atmosphere, told WAVE she immediately spoke with her children after learning of the arrest. “It makes you feel really vulnerable,” she said. “It’s terrifying, as a mom, to hear about something like this. It just makes you realize that you’re not safe anywhere.”
Another neighbor, Lindsay Smart, said the news was especially unsettling given Booth’s seemingly harmless image. “You feel like you know your neighbors, but what goes on behind closed doors… I guess we never know,” Smart told WDRB. “It’s sickening, it’s disgusting, and I’m glad he got caught.”
A Halloween sign in Booth’s yard reading, “I smell children,” also drew renewed unease in the neighborhood, according to WDRB.
Booth appeared in Jefferson County District Court Thursday morning, where a judge set his bond at $100,000 full cash, ordered no contact with minors, and banned any internet or social media use. If he posts bond, WAVE reported, he will be placed on home incarceration. Booth entered a plea of not guilty to all charges and remains held at Metro Corrections as the investigation continues.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
YouTuber Known as ‘Mr. Crafty Pants’ Faces 20 Child Porn Charges
The Prospect, Kentucky, man, whose videos drew hundreds of thousands of viewers, was arrested after a national tip led police to his Kik account.
By Jacob Charles
Published: October 28, 2025 3:33 pm ET
Michael Booth (via Louisville Metro Department of Corrections)
LOUISVILLE, KY — A Louisville-area social media influencer known for his cheerful crafting tutorials is now at the center of a disturbing criminal case involving child pornography, according to police and court records.
Authorities said 39-year-old Michael David Booth, of Prospect, was arrested Wednesday and charged with more than 20 counts of distributing material that portrays a sexual performance by a minor, WDRB reported.
Some of the images involved children under the age of 12.
Investigators told WAVE that Booth, who goes by “Mr. Crafty Pants” online, built a massive following through videos teaching DIY and arts-and-crafts projects using smart cutting machines. His YouTube channel boasts over half a million subscribers, and his Facebook and Instagram pages together attract more than 250,000 followers.
But behind the carefully curated online persona, detectives said they uncovered troubling evidence. According to police and WDRB, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities to a Kik account believed to be sharing explicit images of minors between August 5 and August 7. A subpoena later linked that account to Booth’s home address, WAVE reported.
When officers executed a search warrant, WDRB said they found multiple files of child sexual abuse material, including images depicting children under 12 and others between 12 and 18. Files involving the youngest victims were reportedly shared at least 10 times, while others were distributed at least 15 times, investigators said.
Neighbors in Booth’s Norton Commons neighborhood described a tense scene as police descended on the home. “So we walked out our front door on Wednesday to a very heavy police presence,” neighbor Laura Nash told WDRB. “My heart dropped. Felt sick to my stomach. It was gut-wrenching and eye-opening.”
Nash, who moved to the community for its family-friendly atmosphere, told WAVE she immediately spoke with her children after learning of the arrest. “It makes you feel really vulnerable,” she said. “It’s terrifying, as a mom, to hear about something like this. It just makes you realize that you’re not safe anywhere.”
Another neighbor, Lindsay Smart, said the news was especially unsettling given Booth’s seemingly harmless image. “You feel like you know your neighbors, but what goes on behind closed doors… I guess we never know,” Smart told WDRB. “It’s sickening, it’s disgusting, and I’m glad he got caught.”
A Halloween sign in Booth’s yard reading, “I smell children,” also drew renewed unease in the neighborhood, according to WDRB.
Booth appeared in Jefferson County District Court Thursday morning, where a judge set his bond at $100,000 full cash, ordered no contact with minors, and banned any internet or social media use. If he posts bond, WAVE reported, he will be placed on home incarceration. Booth entered a plea of not guilty to all charges and remains held at Metro Corrections as the investigation continues.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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