A Norcross man who is the 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.
Hickey, using his online screen name “funguyatl77,” recently engaged in an online communication that was monitored by federal agents, according to authorities. He stated that he was watching “perving vids” and offered to share child pornography. Earlier this month, Hickey transmitted a video showing an adult male sexually assaulting two prepubescent males, authorities said. Hickey also displayed surreptitiously taken photos of children in public places, according to authorities.
Investigators said thousands of images of child exploitation were discovered on his electronic devices.
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.
