Lebanon man gets 7 years in child porn case

60-year-old could be free in 5 years; arrested in online sting.

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

Investigators found 84 images of children having sex with adults on one of Michael Kirkwood’s computers, after his arrest in June 2016, according to court records.

“The production of such images damaged real children, and the continued proliferation of these images on the internet perpetuates the harm. Further, controlling the production and dissemination of child pornography is of paramount importance, because pedophiles often use child pornography to seduce other children into performing sexual acts,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Clemmens said in a sentencing memorandum.

With credit for time served, 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 when he met a federal agent who had posed

as a 13-year-old girl.

Kirkwood was to buy the girl underwear at Victoria’s Secret for her to wear while they had sex, court documents said.

Kirkwood was originally charged with coercion and enticement.

In January, he pleaded guilty to the single charge, in a bill of information 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.

On Wednesday, Rice said child pornography crimes were “never-ending” for victims who wonder if pictures taken of them could be 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.

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

Rice also ordered Kirk- wood to forfeit a handful of computer devices seized in the case.

Kirkwood apologized but, despite urging from Rice, 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 sex 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, 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.