Cd'A man charged with child sexual exploitation

COEUR d'ALENE — A man remains in jail after police said he possessed and traded child sexual abuse material, including an "AI generated" video, according to court records.

Micah J. Kender, 24, is charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, both felonies. 

First District Judge Daniel McGee ordered this week that Kender be held on $500,000 bail. Prosecutors requested the high bail amount, arguing in court that it was appropriate for the "protection of society." 

The investigation began in May, after police received a CyberTip through the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force regarding apparent child sexual abuse material originating from a Kik account associated with Kender and an IP address connected to his residence. Kik is an instant messaging mobile app. 

After obtaining a warrant for the Kik data, investigators reviewed chat logs in which Kender allegedly offered to trade child sexual abuse material with other users and discussed "grooming and desires to perform sexual acts" with minors, including rape, according to court records. 

Kender allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a user who identified herself to him as a 14-year-old girl and appeared to brag about the conversations with other users. 

Investigators also allegedly reviewed a still image depicting child sexual abuse and an "AI generated" animated video depicting the sexual abuse of an infant, according to court records. 

In 2024, a new section of code was added to state law regarding visual representations of child sexual abuse.  

The statutory language states in part that a person commits a felony “if he knowingly ... possesses or accesses a visual depiction, including a video or image created using generative AI or machine learning, that depicts a child engaging in explicit sexual conduct and is obscene.” 

Police obtained a search warrant for Kender, a Coeur d'Alene resident. While executing the warrant over the weekend, police detained Kender at another location via a traffic stop. 

When interviewed by police, Kender allegedly confirmed that he had child sexual abuse material on his phone. 

According to court records, Kender told police he was "happy he got caught" and that he felt "disgusted." He allegedly said he understood that he would be jailed for possessing illegal material. 

Kender remains in the Kootenai County jail.