Terence Lorenzo Clemons, a 52-year-old Lexington resident and former County Extension Agent, was sentenced on April 24 to 25 years in federal prison for producing child pornography. U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell handed down the sentence after Clemons pleaded guilty to charges related to his conduct with a minor in the Bath County School System.
The case highlights concerns about individuals in positions of trust abusing their roles within communities. According to court documents, Clemons operated 4-H programs and began a romantic relationship with a minor in April 2024. He communicated extensively with the victim via text messaging and social media, asking for sexually explicit photos and videos, as well as engaging in physical contact during program events.
During sentencing, the court remarked on the seriousness of such offenses and emphasized that abuse by those entrusted with youth leadership will not be tolerated. Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, said: “This defendant held a position of trust and exploited that position in order to prey on the vulnerability of a child. That betrayal strikes at the very core of our communities, where parents and families should be able to trust those entrusted with mentoring and guiding young people. We remain committed to holding accountable anyone who abuses that trust and to working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect children from exploitation and harm.”
Under federal law, Clemons must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for release. Upon completion of his prison term, he will be supervised by U.S. Probation Office authorities for an additional twenty years.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Kentucky State Police (KSP), and Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation online.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky enforces federal laws—including criminal prosecutions—and maintains community safety through partnerships addressing issues like elder abuse prevention according to its official website. The office works under the U.S. Department of Justice according to its official website serving eastern Kentucky according to its official website, collaborating with agencies through initiatives such as Elder Justice Task Force according to its official website. Several early U.S. Attorneys from this district later served on high-profile positions including governor or Supreme Court justice according to its official website.
