KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A man from Johnson County, Kan., has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography, including images of an unclothed two-year old boy in a roaster pan in an oven, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Michael D. Arnett, 38, Roeland Park, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography. In his plea, Arnett admitted that investigators found child pornography on his computer when they served a search warrant May 15, 2012, at his home in Roeland Park.
The case began when Homeland Security Investigation’s Operation Holitna seized child pornography including images of victims who appeared to be from the area of Overland Park, Kan. Investigators focused on a water bottle in one of the photos bearing the words “Midwest Aquatics" and a phone number beginning with the 913 area code. Midwest Aquatics is a swim and scuba center located at 7565 W. 160th Street in Overland Park.
With the assistance of teachers at an elementary school in Shawnee Mission, investigators ultimately identified three boys who been photographed at Arnett’s home at 5451 Juniper Drive in Roeland Park. At the time the photos were taken, the boys were 11, 8 and 2 years old.
Among the images investigators found was one of a naked boy about two years old lying in a roaster pan that was placed inside an open oven. Another image showed the same boy in the roaster pan with the oven door shut.
Investigators learned that Arnett met the children while he was driving for Kaw Valley Health Systems, a nonprofit corporation that provides medical care and social services for children. He drove them to family visitations, counseling and other appointments.
Sentencing is set for May 13. Arnett faces a penalty of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Grissom commended ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin for their work on the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
