FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
KENNETH KYLE WYNN SENTENCED IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings, on October 31, 2007, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, KENNETH KYLE WYNN, a 46-year-old resident of Helena, appeared for sentencing. WYNN was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 168 months
- Special Assessment: $400
- Forfeiture: computer equipment
- Supervised Release: 15 years
WYNN was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to distribution and possession of child pornography.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
Beginning in 2004, WYNN had sexually explicit Internet conversations via his home computer in Helena with a person he believed to be an underage girl in Billings. Those chats continued for a number of months, during which time WYNN also sent sexually explicit pictures of himself.
On February 6, May 13, and May 22, 2006, WYNN distributed child pornography images to the "underage girl" via his home computer using the Internet. The "underage girl" was actually an undercover FBI agent. Further investigation revealed that WYNN was employed by the Department of Administration Information Technology Services Division for the State of Montana at the time.
Based upon the investigation, a search warrant was obtained for WYNN'S residence in Helena. Found during the search were the computers and computer-related items that WYNN used to distribute the child pornography. The forensic examination of WYNN'S computer equipment revealed numerous images of child pornography that WYNN possessed via the Internet.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that WYNN will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, WYNN does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Billings Police Department, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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/.
