PHOENIX (LAWFUEL) – Kenneth Edward Hudgins, 43, of Queen Creek, Ariz., was sentenced here by U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg to five years in federal prison followed by lifetime supervised release. Hudgins pleaded guilty on May 13, 2008 to Receiving Child Pornography. The judge also ordered him to register as a sex offender.
In March 2007, while living in Queen Creek, Hudgins was part of an Internet peer-to-peer group using software that allows the sharing of computer files from members’ own computers. Hudgins knowingly received graphic video images of child pornography via the Internet, including an image of an adult male engaging in sexual acts with a girl under the age of 10. A subsequent search of Hudgin’s computer found additional images and videos depicting child pornography.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Vincent Q. Kirby, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER:CR-07-730 PHX-JAT
RELEASE NUMBER:2008-324(Hudgins)
