ATHENS, Texas - A 66-year-old Athens man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison on each of five counts of possession of child pornography following an investigation that began with a tip concerning online activity in Henderson County.
The Henderson County District Attorney's Office said Kevin Eugene Jones, 66, received the maximum sentence available from 392nd District Court Judge R. Scott McKee.
Jones pleaded guilty to the five charges in July and elected to have the judge determine his punishment. Assistant District Attorney Christian Simpson represented the state during the contested punishment hearing.
The District Attorney's Office did not specify whether the five 30-year sentences will run concurrently or consecutively.
Investigation Began With NCMEC Tip
The investigation began June 13, 2024, when the Henderson County Sheriff's Office Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
According to prosecutors, the tip indicated that a device located in Henderson County was being used to view child pornography.
Task Force Investigator Meagan Hogan investigated the report and obtained warrants as the case developed. Authorities eventually determined that the images were associated with a device at Jones' Henderson County residence.
Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at the home.
During the search, Hogan located a device containing numerous photographs of child pornography that investigators determined Jones had obtained through the internet, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Jones was ultimately charged with five counts of possession of child pornography.
Sex Offender Registration Required if Released
Following Jones' guilty pleas, the case proceeded to a punishment hearing before Judge McKee, who imposed a 30-year prison sentence on each count.
Jones will serve his sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Prosecutors said Jones will also be required to register as a sex offender if he is eventually released from prison.
