Historian Henry Kamen Indicted for Child Pornography Possession

A federal grand jury has indicted Henry Kamen, a published historian and Professor of Spanish History, on charges of possession of child pornography. The indictment, filed in the Middle District of Georgia, alleges Kamen possessed illegal material in September 2014 while residing within the Athens Division of the district.

Kamen, a British citizen currently living in Barcelona, Spain, is known internationally for his academic work on Spanish history. Despite his scholarly reputation, the charges against him are serious: if convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a potential lifetime of supervised release following incarceration.

The investigation was conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit. Authorities have not released details about how the material was discovered or how Kamen was identified, but the indictment suggests digital evidence was central to the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Erin N. Spritzer is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. The indictment was returned by a grand jury, a procedural step that means prosecutors presented enough evidence for the case to move forward.

It is important to note the charges are allegations only. Henry Kamen is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The burden rests with the government to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

For further information, inquiries should be directed to Pamela Lightsey at the United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2603. The case underscores the long reach of U.S. federal law, even when defendants reside overseas.