Ex-Nacogdoches Co. Deputy Facing Child Porn Charges

LUFKIN, TX. (AP) – A 32-year-old now-ex-lawman has been arraigned today in Lufkin on federal child pornography charges.

Former Nacogdoches County sheriff’s Lieutenant Michael Paul Kennedy was indicted last week by a grand jury in Beaumont. Kennedy is accused of possessing, receiving and transporting child pornography.

Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office became involved in mid-2006 after Kennedy’s name surfaced related to a U.S. House investigation and hearing on Internet pornography. The A-G’s office says Kennedy’s home and computer were searched last October, revealing more than 1,000 images of child porn.

Kennedy was a jail administrator when he resigned last November. A-G’s spokesman Tom Kelley told The Associated Press that Kennedy has pleaded not guilty. Kelley says Kennedy will remain in custody pending a pretrial hearing September 17th in Beaumont. Defense attorney John Heath Junior didn’t immediately return a call today for comment, but has said Kennedy cooperated with investigators.

A possession of child pornography conviction carries a penalty of up to ten years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Each receipt and transportation of child pornography charge carries a five- to 20-year federal prison term, and up to a $250,000 fine.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)