Kyle William Leishear, Child Exploitation, Virginia 2023

Alexandria, VA – In a shocking case of child exploitation, Kyle William Leishear, 43, of Bayonet Point, Florida, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.

According to court documents, Leishear was a prominent member of the ‘Rapey.su’ website, which was dedicated to child sexual exploitation. He enticed multiple minor victims, including one as young as 12 years old, to produce and share sexually explicit images. Leishear also attempted to distribute child sexual abuse material on the Rapey website.

“I am grateful for the hard work of our agents and prosecutors to seek justice in this horrific case. These defendants caused immeasurable trauma on their victims, amplified by the groups online sharing of their abuse,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Leishear’s co-defendants were sentenced for their roles in the enterprise on April 25, 2023. Co-defendant Christopher William Kuehner, 38, of Bremerton, Washington, received a sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment. Co-defendants Jacob Royce Mullins, 20, of South Webster, Ohio, and Matthew Martin, 25, of Lancaster, Wisconsin, received sentences of 84 months and 80 months of imprisonment, respectively.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Schlessinger and Trial Attorney Whitney Kramer of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section prosecuted the case.

Leishear’s case is a stark reminder of the dangers of the internet and the need for increased vigilance in protecting our children from exploitation. The sentencing of Leishear and his co-defendants sends a strong message that those who engage in child exploitation will be held accountable for their crimes.

Criminal Charges: Engaging in a child exploitation enterprise. Location: Bayonet Point, Florida. Date: 2023. Sentence: 20 years in prison.

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