https://fox4kc.com/2018/09/14/kck-firefighter-charged-with-child-sex-crime-following-months-long-investigation/
KANSAS CITY, Kan -- KCK firefighter Devin Rich was charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, and after a seven-month investigation, Rich is in jail.
Rich is an eight-year veteran of the KCK Fire Department. Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree says Rich solicited a person he believed to be 15 years old for sex, on the internet.
Dupree says an F.B.I. investigation started when someone reported concerns about Rich’s sexual interests in February of 2018, but the activity dates back to the end of 2017.
The F.B.I set up a sting and Rich began talking online to an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old.
Rich allegedly communicated with the undercover detective from his home and while on the job at KCK Fire House 7 at 27th and Strong in Argentine.
In April, federal investigators raided his home and served a warrant on the KCKFD. Rich was suspended without pay.
KCK Battalion Chief Morris Letcher says the fire department does not have many details of when and where the alleged crimes happened and will review its policies after this type of allegation.
“Hopefully people are going to understand that we still service the community, and this is just an isolated incident with this person,” said Letcher. “He is allowed due process.”
This is one of several public servants who have been charged with crimes since Mark Dupree was elected as Wyandotte County district attorney.
“There are over 400 and some odd firefighters in KCK and I respect and appreciate every last one of them,” Dupree said. “And it is my hope that this one will not stain their reputation.”
There was no real victim of this crime. Rich did not speak to a child online, but he believed he was and that is enough.
If found guilty of this crime, Rich could spend over 20 years in prison.
I hope this guy gets the Max. 20 years. It will keep him away from Our Children. A Firefighter. Think about it. Many times they rescue
Children from fires, carrying them down the stairs..........
Pizzagate related because we have - Another public servant in a position of authority and that people look up to wanting to defile a child.
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ArtistiqueJewelry ago
Where there is smoke there is fire!
This guy is surrounded and buddies with others in his department.
No one knew of his "criminal interests?"
He never once made a comment, cracked a joke or said something inappropriate about children that raised a red flag?
We all know how much they strive to cover each others hides!
carmencita ago
I totally agree. There is possibly some type of cover up by the head of the dept. Either trying to keep the amount of these cases to a minimum and protecting the force. I tend to think there are other men that are doing the same. We know there are many in LE that are compromised so why not the Fire Dept, Think of the opportunities and their access to Our Children.
ArtistiqueJewelry ago
Spot on! Deserves a close Watch!
carmencita ago
Thanks for what you are doing too! <3