LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is refusing to release booking photos of some people accused of child sex crimes, saying they could help identify the victims.

A provision in state law allows authorities to pick and choose which mugshots to publicly release, even though court records show the names of suspects.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that policy is now being used in two cases, including at least one where the suspect was involved for years in youth sports.

A man who had been a coach with youth league baseball and softball programs was charged last month wit...