Crime & Safety

Hyannis Man Charged with Production of Child Pornography

A Hyannis man was charged with a criminal complaint with sexual exploitation of a child.

A Hyannis man was charged today in federal court with sexual exploitation of a child, according to a Department of Justice press release.

Kevin J. McNicol, 23, was charged in a criminal complaint with sexual exploitation of a child. The complaint alleges that on approximately April 24, 2011, McNicol enticed a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of transmitting a live visual depiction of such conduct.

According to court documents, a search warrant was executed on McNicol’s residence on May 10, 2011. Forensic review of his computer media revealed child pornography and video files appearing to have been captured through use of a web camera.

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If convicted, McNicol faces up to 30 years in prison, to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Robert Bethel, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement Friday. The matter is being investigated by the Massachusetts Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) including Massachusetts State Police, Barnstable Police Department, Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office, Yarmouth Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

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In coordination with the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office, the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Yoon of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In Feb. 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from 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 details contained in the complaint affidavit are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Information from a press release.


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