Yakima Man Sentenced To Twenty Years Imprisonment

Spokane – Today, Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Kennith M. Henle, age 26, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced today after having previously pleaded guilty on July 10, 2013 to Attempted Production of Child Pornography. Senior United States District Court Judge Edward F. Shea sentenced Kennith M. Henle to a twenty year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a life term of court supervision, after he is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, in March 2012 a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) accessed a photo hosting website and found a profile with an associated e-mail address that contained multiple photos of children of an inappropriate nature. HSI commenced investigation and obtained further information about the associated e-mail account, determining the account holder was Kennith Henle of Yakima, Washington.

On September 11, 2012, HSI Special Agents obtained a search warrant for Kennith Henle's e-mail account. The search resulted in the discovery of child pornography, which Henle had received over the internet. It also revealed child pornography produced by Henle in Moxee, Washington, of a minor left in his care. Special Agents, with the assistance of Yakima Police Department Detectives were able to interview Henle, who admitted the misconduct.

"It wasn't enough for Henle to abuse a child in his care, he shared his exploitation with predators around the world," said Brad Bench, Special Agent in Charge of HSI, Seattle Division, who oversees Eastern Washington investigations. "HSI places a high priority on combating this despicable crime, not only to identify and rescue child victims, but to stop their re-victimization by individuals who view and distribute Internet child pornography."

Michael C. Ormsby stated: "Prosecuting those who would produce and distribute pornographic images of vulnerable minors is a priority of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington. This Office dedicates significant resources to the prosecution these cases and seeks appropriate punishment."

This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources".

This investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations.

CR-13-2046-EFS