A Las Vegas man has been found guilty of serious charges including coercion and enticement of a minor, child sexual exploitation, and possessing child pornography. Kenton Hardy King, 29, skulked through the digital alleys of the anonymous chat service Omegle, where he came upon a child victim on June 2, 2020. King used the veil of internet anonymity to manipulate and entice the minor into sexual activity, coercing the victim into behaviors for the production of sexual images. Evidence presented in court revealed that King also kept child sexual abuse material on his cell phones.
The conviction came after a five-day trial, with the jury decisively handing down a guilty verdict on all counts. As per an announcement by United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, and confirmed by the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans, the case has now been scheduled for sentencing. On September 23, 202,4 King will face United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey, who will pronounce the sentence, which could lead to a minimum of 15 years behind bars or potentially life imprisonment, plus a fine.
During the proceedings, Assistant United States Attorneys Steven Rose and Jean Ripley led the prosecution. This case spotlight illustrates a broader fight against the plague of child exploitation on the internet, embodied by initiatives like Project Safe Childhood. The Department of Justice launched this program back in May 2006 to synergize efforts at all levels of law enforcement to bring down perpetrators and aid victims of such offenses.
Concerns about the cyber safety of children have only grown in recent years as technology becomes more intertwined with daily life. Designed to better locate and prosecute internet carpetbaggers who prey on the innocent, while identifying and rescaring victims, Project Safe Childhood is a shield in the digital domain. More information about the initiative and its successes can be found on the Justice Department's website.
