McPHERSON COUNTY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD PORN CHARGE
WICHITA, KAN. – Kevin C. Chapin, 42, Inman, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of receiving and distributing child pornography via the Internet, U.S. Barry Grissom said today.
During a hearing today before U.S. District Judge Wesley E. Brown, prosecutors said the investigation began when a detective with the Newton Police Department identified an IP address in Kansas offering known files of child pornography via a peer-to-peer network. Investigators followed an electronic trail to the computer in Chapin’s home in Inman. Investigators served a search warrant at Chapin’s home March 26, 2010, seizing computer hard drives containing child pornography.
Sentencing is set for April 25. He faces a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Grissom commended the Newton Police Department, the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case. This case is being prosecuted as part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood. For more information, see www.projectsafechildhood.gov .
