Two Oklahoma City Men Sentenced to Serve Fifty Years Collectively in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation and Child Pornography Offenses

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two Oklahoma City men have been sentenced to serve 50 years collectively in federal prison for child exploitation and child pornography offenses, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On March 2, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Indictment charging CHRISTOPHER JAMES LAFEVER, 36, of Oklahoma City, with Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography.  LaFever later pleaded guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography.  On January 6, 2022, U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin sentenced LaFever to serve 20 years in federal prison, followed 20 years of supervised release.  LaFever has been in federal custody since February 9, 2021.

While investigating LaFever, law enforcement uncovered his association with DAKOTA ALLEN KIDWELL, 27, of Oklahoma City.  Specifically, they discovered a video in LaFever’s possession that Kidwell had created.  On October 8, 2021, Kidwell was charged in a two-count Complaint with Sexual Exploitation of Children and Distribution of Child Pornography.  On November 1, 2021, Kidwell pleaded guilty to a one-count Information, charging him with Sexual Exploitation of a Child.  At today’s sentencing, Judge Goodwin sentenced Kidwell to serve 30 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.  Kidwell has been in federal custody since October 7, 2021. 

In announcing both LaFever and Kidwell’s sentences, Judge Goodwin noted the nature and circumstances of the offenses.  Both men will be required to register as sex offenders upon their release from prison.

These cases are the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Noble and Brandon Hale prosecuted Kidwell, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Stoneman prosecuted LaFever.

These cases are part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Reference is made to court filings for further information.