ATLANTA - Kevin Hickey, formerly the Director of Parish Outreach for Life Teen International in Atlanta, Ga., has been arraigned on federal charges of distribution and possession of child pornography.
“This defendant collected and distributed highly graphic images portraying the sexual exploitation and abuse of young children all while being entrusted to protect, counsel, and serve children," said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.
“We expect adults working in positions of trust to serve as role models for our children and safeguard their welfare," said Brock D. Nicholson, special agent in charge for HSI Atlanta. “HSI is particularly vigorous in pursuing these kinds of cases because our experience has shown that, in many instances, those who collect and distribute child pornography are also hands-on offenders."
According to United States Attorney Yates, the criminal complaint, and information presented in court: Hickey was identified as an individual with a sexual interest in children and who collects and distributes child pornography. In June 2013, Hickey, using his online screen name “funguyatl77," engaged in an online communication, monitored by federal agents, in which he stated that he was watching “perving vids" and offered to share child pornography. On June 3, 2013, Hickey transmitted a video showing two prepubescent males being sodomized by an adult male. Hickey further displayed photographs of children he took surreptitiously in public places and was heard gratifying himself sexually during the online conversation. A subsequent investigation by Homeland Security Investigations agents led them to Hickey and to Hickey’s home, where he maintained his computer and engaged in the collection and distribution of these pornographic images. Thousands of images of child exploitation have been located on Hickey’s electronic devices.
Hickey, 39, of Norcross, Ga., was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 1, 2013. Hickey has been detained. Distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a statutory maximum of twenty years. Possession of child pornography carries a statutory maximum sentence of ten years. A conviction on either offense carries a term of supervised release from five years to life and a requirement that the defendant register as a sex offender. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.
This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorney Jill E. Steinberg is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
