BILLINGS — A Billings man who was accused of having sexual conversations through social media with an undercover agent posing as a minor girl and was arrested when he showed up to meet the girl admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Kyle Jason Swindler, 41, pleaded guilty to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. Swindler faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least three years of supervised release.
The crime allegedly occurred in October 2021, when law enforcement, acting in an undercover capacity and posing as a 13-year-old girl, communicated through the Internet by social media with a user who turned out to be Swindler. Early in the conversation, the undercover persona identified herself as 13 years old, and Swindler responded, “Ouch you’re a young one.” The conversation became sexual in nature. Swindler and the undercover persona discussed plans to meet in person for a sexual encounter and arranged to meet in a Billings park.
Swindler drove to the park, where he was arrested. Law enforcement searched Swindler’s vehicle and found sex-related items. Officers also searched Swindler’s cell phone and recovered the original social media conversation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Hargrove is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was initiated under the Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Defendant: Kyle Jason Swindler
Criminal Charges: Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor
City and State: Billings, Montana
Crime Date: October 2021
Sentence or Outcome: Faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release.
Related Federal Cases
- Kyle Jason Swindler, Attempted Coercion and Enticement, Montana 2023 · Montana
- Kyle Jason Swindler, Child Predator, Montana 2021 · Alabama
- Jason Robert Kroepelin, Attempted Coercion and Enticement of Minor, Montana 2021 · Montana
- Manuel Flores, Attempted Child Enticement, Montana 2025 · Texas
- Michael J. Doherty Sentenced for Sending Obscene Material, Burlington MA, 2026 · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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