Post Falls man gets prison for child sexual exploitation

COEUR d’ALENE — A man who possessed and created child sexual abuse material will spend decades in federal prison. 

Kevin Richmond, 63, of Post Falls, pleaded guilty in federal court to sexual exploitation of children. 

U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford sentenced Richmond to 20 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervision. Richmond was also ordered to pay $38,000 in restitution to his victims, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

“The sentencing of Mr. Richmond to federal prison for sexual exploitation of children represents a significant step in our ongoing efforts to protect the community, particularly our children, from those who pose a severe threat,” Post Falls Police Chief Greg McLean said in a news release. “This case underscores the importance of vigilance and collaboration among law enforcement agencies to ensure that individuals who engage in such heinous crimes are held accountable.” 

The charges stem from late 2022, when a cloud storage service provider informed police that a user, later identified as Richmond, had uploaded child sexual abuse material to his account. 

Police obtained a search warrant for the contents of Richmond’s cloud storage account. The search yielded more than 500 videos and images depicting child sexual abuse, according to court records, including material that appeared to be produced by Richmond. 

A federal judge issued an additional search warrant authorizing police to seize digital devices from Richmond’s residence in Post Falls. Police said an analysis of Richmond’s cellphone revealed additional child sexual abuse material. 

When interviewed by police, Richmond reportedly admitted to possessing child sexual abuse material, which he said he received via the social media and the messaging platform Telegram. 

Richmond also admitted to producing child sexual abuse material with a real child, according to court records. 

U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit commended the work of the Post Falls Police Department, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the U.S. Secret Service, which led to the charges. 

“We hope for healing for the victims of this horrific case,” Hurwit said in a news release. “Idahoans should know our office and our law enforcement partners have no higher calling than protecting children, and anyone out there engaging in the abuse of children should know that we will spare no effort to find them and hold them accountable just like this defendant.” 

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse, call Safe Passage Violence Prevention Center’s 24-hour helpline: 208-664-9303.