Fairfax Man Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography

 Defendant Arrested After Sending Undercover Agent Sexually Explicit Videos Involving Minors

SAN FRANCISCO – Ryan Michael Kannett appeared in federal court today on a criminal complaint alleging that he possessed child pornography, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. 

An affidavit filed by an HSI agent in connection with the criminal complaint alleged that Kannett, 36, of Fairfax, used the handle “Sir Sicko,” among others, to engage online with an individual whom he believed to be interested in child pornography, but who in fact was an undercover agent.  Kannett allegedly provided the agent with several videos and images depicting sexual acts with minors.  Agents then traced the IP addresses from which those files were sent and found the IP addresses were linked to Kannett’s residence in Fairfax.  Agents executed a search warrant at that residence and recovered a tablet device that allegedly contained approximately 454 videos depicting child pornography, including videos depicting minors forced to engage in bestiality and bondage.  One video in particular was approximately 8 minutes long, and showed an adult female sexually and physically abusing a girl who appeared to be approximately 2 to 5 years old. 

Kannett was arrested on December 17, 2019 in Fairfax, Calif., and made his initial appearance in federal court in San Francisco this morning before the Honorable U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson.  Kannett is currently detained pending further proceedings.   His next scheduled appearance is at 10:30 a.m. on October 12, 2020, for status before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson.      

A complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution for each violation of Title 18 United States Code § 2252.  However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly A. Smolen is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Senna Milstead.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.