An Etowah County resident, Kevin James Xiques, was indicted on a charge of possession of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Crosby announced on April 17. The indictment was filed in U.S. District Court and alleges that the offense occurred in December 2025 in Etowah County, Alabama. Xiques, age 54 and from Altoona, was arrested at his home.
The case is part of ongoing efforts to address child exploitation crimes and highlights law enforcement’s focus on protecting children from abuse online and offline. Authorities urge anyone who suspects or becomes aware of possible sexual exploitation of a child to contact law enforcement or file a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.org.
According to the official website, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama advances community safety through initiatives focused on public engagement according to the official website. The office includes facilities in Birmingham and Huntsville according to the official website, serves more than 2.8 million people across 31 counties according to the official website, prosecutes federal crimes, defends civil cases for the United States government, recovers funds lost due to fraud according to the official website, and collaborates with law enforcement agencies throughout its jurisdiction according to the official website.
The investigation into Xiques was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), while Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer is prosecuting this case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse using resources from federal, state, and local agencies working together through U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and specialized sections within DOJ criminal divisions.
Officials remind that an indictment contains only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
