Former TSA Employee Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Child Pornography

LITTLE ROCK—Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced today that Raymond Kinney, age 55, of Jacksonville, was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for distribution of child pornography. Kinney, a former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee, was arrested while attempting to meet who he believed were two minors for sex after contacting them on the internet.

“Protecting the children of Arkansas is one of our highest priorities, and our office will never stop working to bring child predators like Kinney to justice,” Thyer said. “I often emphasize that parents must be aware of the dangers children face online and protect them on the internet just as they would in any other public place, and this case demonstrates exactly why.”

Kinney was arrested in Russellville in January 2015, when he drove to meet two minors with whom he planned to have sex, according to online chats that were recovered from his account. Prior to his arrest, Kinney was a Transportation Security Inspector for the TSA.

The investigation began when officers monitoring a social networking site discovered an individual who was seeking a minor for sexual contact. Officers, posing as minors, began undercover conversations with this individual, later discovered to be Raymond Kinney. Kinney sent several pictures and videos of child pornography over the internet to the undercover officers.

The parties ultimately arranged a meeting at a Russellville motel, and Kinney told the undercover officers about his sexual plans for the two minor children. When Kinney arrived at the hotel, instead of meeting the two minors, he was arrested. A search revealed that Kinney had brought sex toys and children’s clothing with him.

“Child predators come from all walks of life, and parents everywhere must be vigilant because these threats aren’t always easily seen,” Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Raymond R. Parmer Jr. said “This case shows HSI is committed to investigating and seeking prosecution of dangerous criminals regardless of a person’s position in society in order to protect our children.”

Kinney was indicted in February 2015 and pleaded guilty in May 2016. At his change of plea hearing he admitted to using the online username “luvsyngteengirls” and sending several pictures and videos of child pornography over the internet.

On Wednesday, United States District Judge Susan Webber Wright imposed the sentence of 20 years, the maximum sentence allowed by law, which was jointly recommended by the parties in exchange for the United States not charging Kinney with additional criminal conduct that was also discovered during the investigation, including sexual enticement of a minor.

In addition to his federal sentence, Kinney was also convicted of attempted rape in state court and received a sentence of 244 months, which will run concurrently with his federal sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the Russellville Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Allison W. Bragg and Kristin Bryant.