Post Falls Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Children

COEUR D’ALENE – Kevin Richmond, 63, of Post Falls, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for the crime of sexual exploitation of children, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.  U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford sentenced Richmond to 20 years in federal prison with a lifetime of supervision to follow.  Richmond was also ordered to pay $38,000 in restitution to his victims.

According to court records, in December 2022, law enforcement received several tips that Richmond was uploading child pornography to a data storage service.  Based on the tips, a federal magistrate judge issued a search warrant for Richmond’s online account.  Law enforcement executed the search warrant and examined the contents of his online data storage account.

In Richmond’s online accounts, law enforcement confirmed that he was in possession of child pornography.  Law enforcement additionally discovered that Richmond was not only possessing child pornography, but he was also producing child pornography with a victim child.

Based on this discovery, a federal magistrate judge issued an additional search warrant authorizing law enforcement to seize digital devices from Richmond’s residence in Post Falls.  Law enforcement executed this search warrant at Richmond’s residence where they found a cell phone belonging to him. Law enforcement forensically analyzed the phone and found child pornography on the device.  Law enforcement also discovered that Richmond had online communications where he claimed he had access to a minor child for sexual purposes.

Law enforcement interviewed Richmond on the same day law enforcement executed the search warrant on his home.  After law enforcement advised Richmond of his Miranda rights, he consented to an interview.  During the interview, he admitted that he received child pornography from an internet application.  Richmond also admitted to producing child pornography with an actual child using his cell phone.  He admitted that he had the child engaged in a sexual act as part of a sexual fantasy.  He admitted to adding the child’s name to the child pornography that he produced. 

“We hope for healing for the victims of this horrific case,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit.  “Idahoans should know our office and our law enforcement partners have no higher calling than protecting children, and anyone out there engaging in the abuse of children should know that we will spare no effort to find them and hold them accountable just like this defendant.”

“The sentencing of Mr. Richmond to federal prison for sexual exploitation of children represents a significant step in our ongoing efforts to protect the community, particularly our children, from those who pose a severe threat,” said Post Falls Police Chief Greg McLean.  “This case underscores the importance of vigilance and collaboration among law enforcement agencies to ensure that individuals who engage in such heinous crimes are held accountable”.

“It took the dedicated teamwork of ICAC and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and all our partner agencies working together to put this predator behind bars where he can no longer hurt our kids,” said Attorney General Raúl Labrador.  “I’m grateful for the hard work of everyone involved – the prosecutors, the investigators, and the judge who clearly saw the danger presented to our community.”

“The U.S. Secret Service will continue to use all the tools, resources and expertise at our disposal to ensure that individuals, such as Mr. Richmond, are held accountable for crimes against children,” said Special Agent in Charge Glen T. Peterson.  “The U.S. Secret Service stands firmly with our law enforcement partners like the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Post Falls Police Department and the ICAC Task Force as we investigate these crimes and bring these offenders to justice.” 

U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of the Post Falls Police Department, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and the U.S. Secret Service, which led to the charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Johnson, Kassandra McGrady, and David Robins prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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