Raymond Kinney Gets 20 Years for Child Porn, Sex Luring

LITTLE ROCK — Raymond Kinney, 55, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, is headed to federal prison for 20 years after being sentenced for distributing child pornography and attempting to meet minors for sex. The former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee was arrested in January 2015 in Russellville, caught in a sting operation after driving to a motel expecting to meet two underage girls he had groomed online.

U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Thyer confirmed the sentence, emphasizing that protecting children remains a top priority. ‘Our office will never stop working to bring child predators like Kinney to justice,’ Thyer said. ‘Parents must be aware of the dangers children face online and protect them on the internet just as they would in any other public place—this case proves why.’

Homeland Security Investigations and Russellville Police launched the probe after detecting an individual soliciting minors on a social networking site. Undercover officers posed as teenagers and began exchanging messages with Kinney, who used the username “luvsyngteengirls.” He sent multiple images and videos depicting child pornography during the conversations and detailed plans for sexual encounters with the supposed minors.

The sting culminated in a planned meeting at a Russellville motel. When Kinney arrived, he was arrested by law enforcement instead of meeting children. A search of his vehicle and person revealed sex toys and children’s clothing—evidence prosecutors say underscored his intent. The investigation uncovered additional illicit material tied to Kinney’s online activity.

Kinney was indicted in February 2015 and pleaded guilty in May 2016. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright handed down the maximum 20-year sentence allowed under the plea agreement. Federal prosecutors agreed not to charge Kinney with additional counts, including sexual enticement of a minor, based on evidence uncovered during the investigation.

In a separate state case, Kinney was convicted of attempted rape and sentenced to 244 months in prison—a term that will run concurrently with his federal sentence. The investigation was led by the Russellville Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison W. Bragg and Kristin Bryant prosecuted the federal case.