Warren Man Arraigned on Attempted Enticement, Child Pornography Charges

PROVIDENCE, RI – A Warren man who allegedly communicated with and arranged to meet with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl with the intent of having her wear baby diapers while walking through a local mall and then engage in illicit sexual activity in the mall with her has been charged in federal court in Providence with attempted enticement and child pornography charges.

Christopher Kinney, 43, was released on unsecured bond following an initial appearance in federal court on April 27, on a criminal complaint charging him with one count each of attempted enticement of a minor, possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

Kinney’s arrest and initial appearance in U.S. District Court are announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, and Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Michael S. Shea.

It is alleged in court documents that Kinney had a series of online communications with the person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. It is alleged that he described his desire to meet with the teenager at a local mall where he would dress her in a diaper and, after walking her around the mall, would engage in illicit sexual activity with her in a mall restroom.

The person Kinney was actually communicating with was a Rhode Island State Police Detective assigned to the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, who is also a cross-designated HSI agent.

Kinney was arrested by members of the ICAC Task Force and HSI agents inside the mall on April 26, 2018, after he arrived and then walked around the mall in what appeared to be an effort to identify members of law enforcement. Inside of Kinney’s car law enforcement discovered, among other items, a diaper bag containing several diapers, a pacifier and baby bottle, condoms, candy and a canister of children’s bubble fluid.

Seized from Kinney’s pocket was an Apple iPhone on which it is alleged in court documents that investigators identified at least fifty-six images of child pornography. In addition, investigators identified numerous times where Kinney allegedly shared images of child pornography with others and investigators identified numerous files of children allegedly being harshly punished and/or beaten.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.

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