White Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Sex Charge

A Paducah restaurant owner charged with a federal sex crime appeared in court on Wednesday.

According to the US District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Kenneth White was arraigned on a charge of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sex. He entered a not guilty plea. 

White was arrested June 9 after he allegedly drove from Paducah to Metropolis to meet with a man he believed was willing to let his 10-year-old daughter have sex. This followed explicit emails and text messages with the undercover FBI officer that began April 28. 

White's next court appearance is set for August 20 in Federal Court in Benton, Illinois. 

White is the owner of two Paducah restaurants, Ken's Place and Gold Rush Cafe. He is currently free on bond.