Kenny Collins, 43, Alliance, Ohio, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of using a computer and the Internet to entice a minor to engage in sex.
In his plea, Collins admitted that he first met a 14-year-old girl from Lawrence, Kan., in a Yahoo chat room for single parents. With his encouragement, the girl sent him photos and videos of herself engaged in sexual activities. He urged her to purchase a Web cam and he sent her a box of sex toys along with specific requests about what he wanted to see her do.
The relationship continued until Jan. 9, 2007, when the Lawrence Police Department investigated a child welfare complaint involving the girl, who by then was 17 years old. Investigators found images of Collins’ penis in the girl’s possession. On Collins’ computer, they found photos and videos of the girl engaging in sexual activities.
Collins is set for sentencing Nov. 3, 2008. He faces a sentence of not less than 10 years and not more than life. U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren commended the Lawrence Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin for their work on the case.