An Etowah County resident, Kevin Glenn Golden, 58, from Altoona, Alabama, has been arraigned in federal court facing multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of children. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank.
Golden is charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography according to a four-count indictment filed in the U.S. District Court. The indictment alleges that between September 2022 and August 2023, Golden coerced a minor into engaging in sexually explicit conduct to produce visual depictions. Additionally, from September 2022 to March 2024, he allegedly possessed child pornography.
The penalties for these charges are severe; a conviction for sexual exploitation can result in up to 30 years in prison, while possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with significant assistance from HSI Harrisonburg, VA, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Huntsville Police Department, Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, and Gadsden Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney R. Leann White is leading the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The project coordinates resources at federal, state, and local levels to locate and prosecute individuals exploiting children online and to identify and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
It is important to note that an indictment contains only charges; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.