Former Youth Coordinator Indicted on Child Pornography Charges

From the United States Attorney Office

Kevin Hickey, formerly the director of Parish Outreach for Life Teen International, on Blues Stone Road in Sandy Springs, has been arraigned on federal charges of distribution and possession of child pornography, a media statement from the United States Attorney’s Office said.

Hickey, 39, of Norcross, Ga., was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 1, 2013. Authorities say the incidents occurred in June. 

“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 U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, in the release.

“We expect adults working in positions of trust to serve as role models for our children and safeguard their welfare,” added Brock D. Nicholson, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations, 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 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. 

Charges also say that 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. And on June 3, 2013, Hickey transmitted a video showing two prepubescent males being sodomized by an adult male.  

The U.S. Attorney’s release said Hickey displayed photographs of children he took surreptitiously in public places and was heard gratifying himself sexually during the online conversation.  

An investigation by Homeland Security Investigations agents led them to Hickey’s home, where he maintained his computer and engaged in the collection and distribution of the pornographic images. Thousands of images of child exploitation were found on Hickey’s electronic devices.    

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.