WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Pewee Valley Police Chief Target Of Child Porn Investigation

Pewee Valley Police Chief Target Of Child Porn Investigation

By Janelle MacDonald

(PEWEE VALLEY, Ky.) -- A Kentucky town is without its police chief as state police investigate allegations of possession of child pornography. Pewee Valley's Chief is on leave while the investigation continues. WAVE 3's Janelle MacDonald spoke with the town's mayor about the investigation.

"We're just a small town," says Pewee Valley Mayor Clayton Stoess. "Everybody knows everybody."

Now the small Oldham County town of Pewee Valley is missing a familiar face: its only full-time employee -- and only police officer -- Chief Steve Leclair.

State police are investigating allegations that he had child pornography on his home computer. In the meantime, he's off the job while the investigation continues.

"I certainly felt like his effectiveness as an officer would be diminished if there was this cloud hanging over his personal life," Stoess said.

Mayor Stoess says he put the Chief on paid leave as KSP troopers were searching the Leclair home March 4.

He says, "there's probable cause or they would not have been able to get a search warrant."

Troopers say they removed a computer and several related accessories as part of their investigation. Leclair is not charged with anything right now. "These are just allegations at this point," Stoess said.

Stoess told WAVE 3 News that troopers have also taken a city-issued laptop Leclair was using but added: "to my understanding, they've found nothing with regard to city equipment."

A KSP spokesperson tells WAVE 3 it could take up to a month to get the final results of the investigation. Until then, the mayor says the police chief is in his thoughts, and has denied any wrongdoing.

"(Leclair) apologized profusely for any embarrassment to the city," Stoess said, "but insisted that he really had done nothing illegal."

WAVE 3 tried several times to reach Chief Leclair at his home Monday, but got no answer.

Again, Chief Leclair has not been charged with any crime at this time.

As for Pewee Valley, Mayor Stoess says the chief's biggest impact was on traffic control. The town has always been under the jurisdiction of the Oldham County police, so citizens won't be left without police protection.

Online Reporter: Janelle MacDonald

Online Producer: Michael Dever