7-year sentence for Lebanon man who possessed child porn

A 60-year-old Lebanon man was sentenced on Wednesday in U.S. District Court to 7 years for possession of child pornography.

With time for credit served, Michael Kirkwood could be free in five years, according to the sentence ordered by Judge Walter Rice during a hearing in federal court in Dayton.

Kirkwood has been in jail since June 2016. He was arrested then when he met a federal agent who had posed as 13-year-old girl Kirkwood was to buy underwear at Victoria’s Secret for her to wear while they had sex, court documents said.

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Kirkwood was originally charged with coercion and enticement.

In January, Kirkwood pleaded guilty to the single charge, in a plea also recognizing he actually communicated via Facebook with the 13-year-old victim and admitted “chatting” on-line with about 20 other girls of similar ages.

The federal agent heading the investigation said Kirkwood seemed to be “grooming” the victim, according to Rice.

MORE: Locals part of task force working to curb child porn in digital world

On Wednesday, Rice said child pornography crimes were “never-ending” for victims wondering if pictures taken of them as children could viewed decades later.

Rice also noted Kirkwood’s otherwise law-abiding life, advanced age, low expectations he would ever commit another crime and multiple health problems as reasons he should be considered for release after five years.

RELATED: Lebanon man pleads guilty to child pornography charge

Since his arrest, Kirkwood’s wife has sought divorce and sold their house and he has lost his job as a machinist, according to statements during the hearing in federal court.

Rice also ordered Kirkwood to forfeit a handful of computer devices seized in the case. Investigation found 84 images of children having sex with adults on Kirkwood’s computers, Rice said during the hearing.

Kirkwood apologized but was unable to explain his motivation.

“I really can’t explain why I did it,” he said.

Rice fined Kirkwood $5,100 to go to victims of trafficking and other crime victims, while setting a hearing early next year to determine if he could pay additional fines from liquidation of the home he lived in before his arrest, a motorcycle and other property.

The judge urged Kirkwood to “work very, very hard” to determine “why this occurred.”

“It may give you peace in the years you have left,” Rice concluded.

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