Federal Jury Finds Former Live Oak Police Sergeant Guilty Of Producing And Possessing Child Pornography

Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that a federal jury has found Kyle Adam Kirby (37, Live Oak) guilty of producing, attempting to produce, possessing, and accessing child pornography.  He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to 120 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release. Kirby was arrested on October 28, 2015, and has remained in custody since that time. A sentencing hearing has not yet been set. 

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on October 22, 2015, FBI agents and other law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Kirby’s residence as a result of an online child exploitation investigation. At that time, Kirby was a police sergeant with the Live Oak Police Department (LOPD). That same morning, the LOPD police chief authorized the agents to inspect and search the computer located inside Kirby’s patrol car. A forensic examination of this computer revealed that it contained images depicting young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Kirby had used the patrol car computer to download, access, and possess child pornography from as early as December 24, 2014.

A subsequent search of an LOPD desktop computer used by Kirby revealed images depicting nude and partially undressed children in at least three different bathrooms. Kirby had used one or more concealed cameras to surreptitiously film the unsuspecting minors. He then transferred these images to the LOPD desktop computer, and later unsuccessfully attempted to delete them. Agents were able to locate folders on the computer named for several of his victims.

Chief Alton “Buddy” Williams from the Live Oak Police Department stated, “I have been in law enforcement for 30 years, and this has been the most difficult situation I have faced. A trusted friend, officer and protector of the public betrayed all facets of the job he swore to do. I realize that mistakes happen, but this was no mistake it was a choice, a choice that has impacted not only his agency, but his trusted friends, family, and community to include all brothers and sisters of the badge. I am appreciative of the F.B.I, the U.S Attorney’s Office and all others involved. Justice did prevail.”

"This case is another example of the relentless efforts of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to identify those who prey on our children," said Charles P. Spencer, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "It is made even more egregious having been committed by someone who swore to uphold the law and protect the community. Let it be known that the FBI will stop at nothing to protect innocent victims, and seek justice for the heinous acts committed against them."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with the full cooperation of the Live Oak Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.