Samuel Alexander Kuhl, a 33-year-old resident of Kalamazoo, has been sentenced to 420 months in prison for the sexual exploitation, coercion, and enticement of a minor. The sentencing was announced by Timothy VerHey, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.
U.S. District Judge Beckering presided over the sentencing and stated that Kuhl’s actions demonstrated a “pattern of angry, defiant, vindictive behavior” and an overall “disregard for the rule of law.”
According to court records, Kuhl initially contacted his victim—a fourteen-year-old girl—through Facebook. Over approximately 18 months, he maintained an illegal sexual relationship with her. During this period, Kuhl physically, emotionally, and psychologically abused the victim. He also attempted to involve her in group sexual activity and threatened her and her family with a firearm when she refused. Additionally, Kuhl persuaded the victim to create and send him child pornography. In June, a jury found Kuhl guilty on two federal charges related to these offenses.
“Sam Kuhl devoted his adult life to crime, and part of his criminal lifestyle included tracking down adolescent girls to sexually exploit. My office will never tolerate child exploitation and when it happens, we will bring the people involved to justice. Kuhl earned the sentence he received yesterday,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey.
Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, commented: “Heinous and predatory acts against any child deserve severe punishment and serious consequences. The actions of this predator included physical, emotional, and psychological abuse and manipulation of a teenager, and I am sincerely grateful for the work of my team at the FBI Kalamazoo Resident Agency, alongside the Wyoming Police Department, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and the Michigan State Police for bringing this violator to justice. Their tireless work throughout this investigation and trial, along with that of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, clearly demonstrates our joint commitment to doing everything possible to keep our children safe in Michigan.”
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Wyoming Police Department; additional support came from Indiana State Police, Michigan State Police, and Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006—to address child sexual exploitation online by coordinating efforts among federal prosecutors as well as state and local authorities. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/PSC.
