A Cobb County child behavioral therapist admitted to federal authorities he groomed two teenage boys he worked with for the intent of having sex with them once they graduated from the facility where he was employed, according to an affidavit.

William Boyd was indicted on federal charges of distribution and possession of child pornography last week following a six-month investigation into the allegations, according to documents obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Boyd worked with at-risk males ages 14 to 21 when he was a therapist at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health in Kennesaw, authorities said.

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“Boyd admitted to being sexually aroused when restraining juvenile males in the normal course of his work at Devereux,” FBI Special Agent Brian Clarity wrote in the criminal complaint.

FBI officials began their investigation in April after an undercover agent gained access to a Kik messenger group chat called “Boy Links Only! Send on Entry or be Kicked,” according to the affidavit. Kik is an instant messaging application for mobile devices.

A month later, the undercover agent was sent a Dropbox link with child pornography from user “tumnus13,” later identified as Boyd, the criminal complaint states. The link contained 12 images of at least 12 boys exposing their genitalia and engaging in sexual acts or poses.

Federal officials identified Boyd by using an IP address and eventually searched his Marietta home in October. Boyd, who was present during the search, told authorities he was the user “tumnus13” and provided them with the password to his account, according to the criminal complaint.

Boyd also admitted to viewing and receiving child porn through the Kik app and sharing the Dropbox link, federal officials said.

Boyd is due in court Dec. 6. for a bond hearing.

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