Child Molester Sentenced to 33 Years in Prison

Contact Person: Brad Parham (843) 665-6688

Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Kevin Michael Stehlik has been sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Production of Child Pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a), and Possession of Child Pornography, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B).  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence sentenced Stehlik to 396 months (33 years) imprisonment, to be followed by supervised release for life, and restitution in the amount of $25,000.00.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Stehlik  made numerous video recordings of himself while engaging in sexually explicit acts with a six–year-old child.   Agents discovered the videos during the execution of a search warrant at Stehlik’s residence.  During a search of Stehlik’s computer, agents also uncovered a significant amount of child pornography depicting sexually explicit images of prepubescent children.

The case was investigated by agents with ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Charleston.  Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

“While it is heartbreaking to see a registered sex offender gain access to and subsequently sexually abuse a young child, it is a relief to know that Kevin Stehlik will spend the next three decades behind bars,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta. “This investigation displayed terrific work by our special agents, who were able to positively identify Stehlik as the child’s abuser in pornography videos by comparing scars and other distinguishing features. Hopefully this lengthy sentence will bring some peace to the victim and family as they work to heal from the damage he so callously inflicted upon them.”   United States Attorney Bill Nettles expressed his thanks for “the outstanding investigative work by the Charleston HSI agents which resulted in this predator being brought to justice.”

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.