A federal judge sentenced Alexander Douglas Kuhn, age 35, to 40 years in federal prison for production and possession of child pornography, according to a July 22 announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Kuhn pleaded guilty on November 21, 2025. Investigators with the Department of Homeland Security identified Kuhn in June 2023 through social media applications Gridr and Discord. During online conversations with undercover agents, Kuhn claimed he abused a three-year-old child and offered the child up for future abuse. He also requested to sexually abuse a fictional twelve-year-old that an undercover agent pretended to offer.
Law enforcement officials obtained a federal search warrant for Kuhn’s residence and electronic devices on July 13, 2023. Six days later, Homeland Security Investigations agents and Craven County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Kuhn at his home in New Bern. According to investigators, Kuhn admitted to sexually abusing a three-year-old over more than one year, taking photos and videos of the abuse, and distributing them online. Authorities found numerous images and videos documenting these crimes on his devices.
“This case represents the dedication and resolve of Homeland Security Investigations and our partners to protect children and hold offenders fully accountable,” said Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Carolinas. “The actions uncovered were deeply disturbing, and our agents worked tirelessly to ensure the victims received justice and support. We thank NCIS, SBI, and the Craven County Sheriff’s Office for their collaboration throughout this investigation. HSI remains committed to pursuing those who exploit children and bringing them before the law.”
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina prosecutes federal crimes—including those involving child exploitation—and litigates civil matters across areas with major military installations such as Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune; it employs over one hundred staff members based out of courthouses including Raleigh, Fayetteville, Wilmington, New Bern, Greenville, and Elizabeth City, according to its official website.