Eddie McKinney, Child Pornography, West Virginia 2021

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Fayette County man has pleaded guilty to a heinous crime involving the distribution of child pornography.

Eddie McKinney, 33, of Mt. Hope, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to distribution and attempted distribution of prepubescent child pornography in a federal court hearing.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, McKinney admitted to distributing child pornography using peer-to-peer file sharing software on December 3, 2015. He also admitted to knowingly possessing and distributing images depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Law enforcement recovered over 600 images of child pornography from McKinney’s home, including images involving sadistic and masochist conduct. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing, and Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White is handling the prosecution.

Eddie McKinney faces a minimum of five years in prison and up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on May 6, 2021.

“Child pornographers like McKinney pose grave danger to our most vulnerable,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “The work of the FBI and their federal, state and local law enforcement partners is critical to removing these offenders from our communities and keeping West Virginia’s children safe.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00142.

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