Norcross Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

A Norcross man who was formerly employed as the director of Parish Outreach for Life Teen International in Atlanta has been arrested on a federal complaint charging him with distributing and possessing child pornography.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office, Hickey shared the pornography during an online communication monitored by federal agents earlier this month. 

In that communication he allegedly said that he was watching “perving vids” and then shared a pornographic video depicting prepubescent males being sodomized by an adult male.

"Hickey further displayed photographs of children he took surreptitiously in public places and was heard gratifying himself sexually during the online conversation," says the release.

A subsequent investigation by Homeland Security Investigations agents led them to Hickey and his Norcross home where he maintained his computer and engaged in the collection and distribution of these pornographic images. Thousands of images of child exploitation were discovered on Hickey’s electronic devices. 

Hickey was arrested June 6 and made his first appearance in federal court the next day. On Friday (June 14), U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard held a detention hearing and Hickey was detained without bond.

In addition to the video, what's also concerning about this case is Hickey's previous position as the former Parish Outreach director for Life Teen International.

“This defendant collected child pornography at the same time he was entrusted to protect, counsel and serve children, which reinforces how essential it is that we uncover and prosecute individuals who pose such a great threat to our community,” said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates in the release.

“The terms ‘child predator’ and ‘person in a position of trust’ should never refer to the same individual,” said Brock. D. Nicholson, special agent in charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta. “While anyone downloading and distributing child pornography is a target for HSI special agents, those who might have access to children will receive our immediate attention. HSI is doing everything in its power to prevent the victimization of innocent children in our society.”

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg is prosecuting the case.

This information is based solely on a news release. It does not indicate a conviction.

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