On October 22, 2025, Kentucky authorities arrested Michael David Booth, better known as Mr. Crafty Pants, who hosts a popular family-friendly YouTube channel, on charges that he possessed and distributed child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to court documents viewed by several news outlets, the messaging app Kik flagged an account for sharing illicit material in late August. Authorities traced the account to Booth’s IP address at his residence. Authorities allege someone shared the files involving minors — some under age 12 and others teens — on multiple occasions that month.
An estimated 250,000 to 600,000 people, and many families, follow Booth on YouTube and other social media platforms where he shares DIY and crafting content, primarily focused on paper crafts, card-making, and Cricut tutorials.
Booth pleaded not guilty
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧 — 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹?
— Gen Just Law (@genjustlaw) October 28, 2025YouTuber Mr. Crafty Pants (real name Michael Booth, 39) has been arrested after allegations tied him to a “Kik” account sharing illegal sexual content involving minors. He pleaded not guilty and is being held on… pic.twitter.com/wnLCkH6r6m
In October, Kentucky police arrested Booth after investigators linked the illicit activity to his home. On October 23, 2025, Booth appeared in court for his arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of possessing and distributing matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. The judge set his bond at $150,000. If released, he would be placed under home incarceration with no internet access as a condition. He remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
In a sidenote, Booth lives in Norton Commons, an upscale community near Louisville, Kentucky. After his arrest, neighbors described a Halloween sign in his yard from previous years, reading “I smell children.” Though alarming in retrospect, so far, no evidence suggests the sign had any connection to the alleged wrongdoing.
If you know someone suffering from sexual violence, contact RAINN or the National Sexual Abuse Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673
