Samuel Kirkwood, a 36-year-old resident of Evansville, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison and will face a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to charges related to the production and attempted production of child sexual abuse material, as well as possession of such material.
Court records indicate that Kirkwood was arrested on May 11, 2023, following a state-level child exploitation investigation. At the time of his arrest, authorities found two cell phones in his possession. Forensic analysis of these devices uncovered several images showing nude minors in sexually explicit positions.
Investigators were able to identify Kirkwood’s hand in one image depicting the abuse of a minor female, confirming he produced the photo himself. Additional files containing child sexual abuse material were also discovered on his phones. During sentencing proceedings, Kirkwood admitted that he had photographed a 10-year-old girl while caring for her.
“The exploitation of children is among the most heinous crimes we prosecute,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This case reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable victims and holding offenders fully accountable. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure children are always protected.”
“By targeting the most vulnerable, the defendant caused lasting harm, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his offenses,” stated FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will never relent in pursuing those who prey on children, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguard those who cannot protect themselves.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation into this case. U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young handed down the sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger prosecuted the case.
This prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies.
Individuals seeking resources or support regarding child exploitation can visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood for more information.
