Prosecutor recognized by human trafficking awareness advocates

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – An assistant attorney general has received a victims advocacy award from human trafficking awareness advocates.

It’s for her work in the 20-year conviction of a former Northern Kentucky judge, according to the attorney generals office.

They say Barbara Whaley, of Lexington, received Catholic Charities of Louisville’s Liberation Award for the conviction of Timothy Nolan in May on 21 counts, including human trafficking of adults, promoting human trafficking of minors and unlawful transaction with minors, against 19 victims.

“Barbara’s extensive prosecutorial experience and her tremendous knowledge of Kentucky law is no doubt in part why Barbara knew early on that human trafficking charges would be the most appropriate charges for the crimes committed in this case,” said Marissa Castellanos, program director for Catholic Charities’ Bakhita Empowerment Initiative. “She was dedicated to seeking justice on behalf of these victims, speaking on their behalf again and again during the many months this case went through Northern Kentucky courts.”

According to Castellanos, Nolan’s conviction resulted in $60,000 being placed into the state’s human trafficking victims fund.

“Despite the fact that this fund was established in 2013, no money had every been allotted to it until now,” she said.

They say as part of his conviction, Nolan paid $60,000 to the victims fund and $100,000 in asset forfeiture.

Nolan is subject to lifetime sex offender registration, according to officials.