Special Agent Kimberly Kidd, who investigated the case out of the FBI’s Louisville Field Office, said “there was no question” of whether the brothers’ home should be seized. “It’s not like the abuse happened just one time in this house,” she said. “For decades, they were molesting children in this home.”

As the investigation progressed, Lexington Police Department officers focused on the criminal case while Kidd traced the brothers’ travels to determine if federal crimes occurred. The brothers, who were in their 70s at the time of their arrest, ultimately pleaded guilty to nine state charges, assuring they would spend the rest of their lives in jail.

Meanwhile, the federal focus turned to seizing the home, since Kentucky state law doesn't have a pathway for real property seizures and forfeitures in child exploitation cases. For Kidd, who has had numerous cases that relied on the use of the Children’s Advocacy Center, it seemed like a natural fit to help fund the center with proceeds from the brothers’ assets.

“They are always available to support law enforcement, and I would love to see law enforcement give back,” Kidd recalled thinking. “This is a great example of how we can work together as one for the community. We’re in this together and we recognize that.”

The brothers were each sentenced to 20 years in jail; Jerry Cassidy died in September at age 79. Investigators documented more than 30 victims, but the case was cemented on the testimony of three individuals who told the court how they were exploited decades ago. Kidd described the case as unnerving because the Cassidy brothers were in positions of authority and trust in their own community. “They completely took advantage of that for three decades,” Kidd said.

The auction of the Cassidy brothers’ home netted proceeds of about $84,000, which was distributed through the equitable sharing program with the Lexington Police Department and commonwealth’s attorney’s office. Under the arrangement, the agencies are giving the money to the Children’s Advocacy Center, which has already put the funds to work in the form of a new roof, upgraded technologies and new recording equipment in the center’s forensic interview suites.

Winn Stephens, executive director of the center, said the funding and support from the FBI and the local agencies affirmed his organization’s role with law enforcement.

“They have the option of expending those funds themselves or passing them through to an organization like ours,” he said. “I think it really made us feel validated in the work that we do and the type of partners we are that they were so willing to share those funds with us.”