Child pornography producer sentenced to 33 years in South Carolina

FLORENCE, S.C. — A South Carolina man was sentenced to 33 years in prison Monday for the production and possession of child pornography following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Kevin Michael Stehlik was sentenced by United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell to 396 months imprisonment, to be followed by supervised release for life and restitution in the amount of $25,000.00.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Stehlik made numerous video recordings of himself while engaging in sexually explicit acts with a 6-year-old.  HSI special agents discovered the videos during the execution of a search warrant at Stehlik's residence. During a search of Stehlik's computer, agents also uncovered a significant amount of child pornography depicting sexually explicit images of prepubescent children.

"While it is heartbreaking to see a registered sex offender gain access to and subsequently sexually abuse a young child, it is a relief to know that Kevin Stehlik will spend the next three decades behind bars," said acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin of HSI Atlanta. "This investigation displayed terrific work by our special agents, who were able to positively identify Stehlik as the child's abuser in pornography videos by comparing scars and other distinguishing features. Hopefully this lengthy sentence will bring some peace to the victim and family as they work to heal from the damage he so callously inflicted upon them."

United States Attorney Bill Nettles expressed his thanks for "the outstanding investigative work by the Charleston HSI agents which resulted in this predator being brought to justice."

This investigation was conducted under HSI's Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2013, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI's Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.