A Norcross man who was former director of a youth outreach program has been arrested on federal charges of distributing and possessing child pornography.
Kevin Hickey, 39, was director of Parish Outreach for Life Teen International in Atlanta, before his arrest on June 6, according to authorities.
The U.S. attorney’s office issued a statement saying that law enforcement identified Hickey as an individual with a sexual interest in children who also collects and distributes child pornography.
According to authorities, in June 2013, using his online screen name “funguyatl77,” Hickey engaged in an online communication that was monitored by federal agents. He stated that he was watching “perving vids” and offered to share child pornography. On June 3, 2013, Hickey transmitted a video showing and adult male sexually assaulting two prepubescent males, authorities said. Hickey further displayed photographs of children he took surreptitiously in public places and was heard engaging in a sex act during the online conversation, according to authorities.
A subsequent investigation by federal agents led to Hickey and his home where he maintained his computer and engaged in the collection and distribution of pornographic images. Thousands of images of child exploitation were discovered on Hickey’s electronic devices, investigators said.
Hickey was arrested on June 6, and made his first appearance in federal court on June 7. On Friday, Hickey was denied bond, authorities said.
“This defendant collected child pornography at the same time he was entrusted to protect, counsel, and serve children, which reinforces how essential it is that we uncover and prosecute individuals who pose such a great threat to our community,” said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.
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