GA Judge Sentences Sex Offender

After a bench trial in district court, a federal judge returned a guilty verdict on Friday against a Texas man. Kelly Farley, 39, of McKinney, Texas was charged with crossing state lines to have sex with a child under 12 and using a computer to entice a child
to engage in unlawful sexual activity.

“This case is another disturbing reminder of the dangers that lurk on the internet in the form of predators who hope to sexually exploit children. This defendant flew from Texas to Atlanta intending to meet an 11 year-old child he could sexually exploit,” said United States Attorney David E. Nahmias.

According to Nahmias, McKinney approached an undercover agent in an online chat room and began talking about engaging in sex with the agent’s 10 year-old daughter. Nahmias assures there was no actual child involved.

Over the course of several months, he continued to ask about having sex with the child, and suggested that the undercover agent molest the child first to “get her prepared” for him. The defendant made arrangements to meet the agent and the child at a local restaurant on May 15, 2007. After dinner, the defendant planned to go to the agent’s house and molest the child.

Farley was arrested as soon as his plane landed in Atlanta. He had a laptop computer with him which contained approximately 100 images of child pornography.

Farley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentence is scheduled for June 27, 2008 at 11 a.m.
before United States District Judge Beverly B. Martin.

Officers of the Clayton County investigated this case Police Department, in conjunction with the FBI’s Safe Child Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Francey Hakes and Jeff Brown are prosecuting the case.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit
www.projectsafechildhood.gov.