Ex-DEA agent gets five years in prison

Dan Kulin and Jace Radke

Thursday, July 10, 2003 | 11:28 a.m.

A former federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent was sentenced this morning to almost five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a federal charge of coercion and enticement of a minor for sex.

Steven Kinney, 43, had been scheduled to receive three years in prison, but after he was arrested in May in Mississippi on similar charges, an extra 21 months were added.

"I'd like to apologize to everyone for everything I've done," Kinney said in court before the sentence was pronounced. He told U.S. District Judge Lloyd George that while serving his prison term, "I will earnestly seek treatment."

In addition to the prison time, Kinney will require three years of supervision upon his release and will be prohibited from spending time with children under 18 unless accompanied by an approved adult.

Kinney also pleaded guilty to 15 counts of soliciting sex from a minor in District Court in Clark County and faces charges of attempted molestation in Vicksburg, Miss. Conviction on those charges could land him on a list of sexual predators. There is no federal list.

Prosecutors said that in Las Vegas Kinney tossed notes wrapped around rocks that offered money for sex to boys in a department store. The federal charge came from one of the notes including an e-mail address.

"All reports I have is there was an attempt, but there was no success in getting personally to these individuals," George said. But that and claims that Kinney was abused as a child did not change the sentence.

"The defendant indicates he was abused as a child, and his conduct, his being a victim, is part of the reason for his conduct, and that must be dealt with," George said. "But the cycle has to be stopped."

George went along with defense request that Kinney serve time at a federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas, that is closer to his parents and includes a federal medical center.

"This is a very sad situation," defense attorney David Chesnoff said. "He obviously has issues."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy Koppe noted that Kinney was a federal agent at the time his crimes were committed, and that responsibility did not deter him.

"All he cares about is his own attraction to children," she said. "All he cares about are his own desires. He has no regard for anything and will continue."

Kinney, who was fired from the DEA, faced a maximum of 15 years in prison for the federal charge, but prosecutors agreed to seek not more than three years in prison in exchange for Kinney's plea. Chief Deputy District Attorney Eric Jorgenson agreed to seek no more than 12 years of prison time for Kenny in exchange for his plea in connection with the 15 counts of soliciting sex from a minor.

Jorgenson said he has asked that Kinney appear in District Court for sentencing after he is sentenced in the federal system, but a hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Kinney was arrested on May 25 in Vicksburg on charges of trying to pay three boys at a Wal-Mart to let him perform a sex act.