FOR RELEASE: December 21, 2007

CONTACT: Bob Troester
                405/553-8999

FORMER KAY COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF PLEADS GUILTY TO USING INTERNET TO TRANSMIT CHILD PORN

Oklahoma City , Oklahoma – John C. Richter, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, announced today that MICHAEL WADE KENT, 52, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, has pled guilty to using the internet to transmit child pornography.  Kent was indicted in July by a federal grand jury. Kent was a former Deputy Sheriff in Kay County.

As part of his plea, Kent admitted that on February 21, 2007, he sent a video clip of a 12-13 year old girl engaged in oral sex using the internet.

At sentencing, Kent faces no less than 5 years and up to 20 years in prison plus a fine of up to $250,000.  A sentencing hearing will be set by the Court in approximately 90 days.

        This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online 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 case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Sengel.