CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A former West Virginia State Police officer who later served as a senior investigator with the state's Commission on Special Investigations pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal child pornography charges, prosecutors said.
Allegations and plea
U.S. Attorneys say Kenneth McCord, 56, of Charleston, admitted he enticed a 15-year-old boy in California to send sexually explicit images and videos between March 2024 and February 2025. Prosecutors also allege McCord sent the teenager obscene materials depicting himself masturbating to the images the boy had provided.
Role and timing
McCord had retired from the West Virginia State Police before the conduct under investigation occurred. At the time of the alleged offenses, he was employed as a senior investigator with the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations, the state agency that conducts certain internal and special inquiries.
Federal response and penalties
U.S. Attorney Moore Capito condemned the conduct as a breach of public trust. In a news release, he described the case as a serious moral failure by someone charged with upholding the law.
“This case represents a staggering and unforgivable betrayal by someone entrusted to uphold the law and safeguard the community,” U.S. Attorney Moore Capito said. “Few acts demonstrate such profound moral failure. This office remains relentless and uncompromising in its duty to protect our children and to ensure every predator is brought swiftly and decisively to justice.”
Under federal statutes cited by prosecutors, McCord faces a prison term ranging from a minimum of 15 years to a maximum of 30 years. Additional consequences include a term of supervised release of at least five years and potentially for life, a fine up to $250,000, and a requirement to register as a sex offender for life. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 8.
| Possible penalty | Range |
|---|---|
| Prison | 15 to 30 years |
| Supervised release | 5 years to life |
| Fine | Up to $250,000 |
| Sex offender registration | Lifetime |
Community and institutional implications
The guilty plea raises questions about oversight and vetting of personnel who move from law enforcement into roles on bodies like the Commission on Special Investigations. The commission conducts sensitive inquiries and relies on public trust; allegations that a former investigator exploited that position compound community concerns.
Officials at the state Commission on Special Investigations did not provide comment to U.S. Attorneys’ office statements cited by prosecutors. The federal filing does not allege any misconduct in the commission’s investigations, only that McCord committed criminal acts while serving as a senior investigator.
What happens next
McCord’s sentencing hearing on Dec. 8 will determine his final punishment within the statutory ranges. The federal court will consider sentencing guidelines, any victim impact statements, the nature and circumstances of the offense, and McCord’s criminal history, if any.
- McCord pleaded guilty in federal court to enticing a minor to produce sexual images and videos.
- He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 8 and faces between 15 and 30 years in prison.
- The plea requires lifetime sex offender registration and carries up to a $250,000 fine.
The U.S. Attorney’s office emphasized its dedication to protecting children and pursuing those who exploit them. The case is part of ongoing federal efforts to investigate and prosecute online sexual exploitation of minors.
Further details will be available following court proceedings and any additional filings in the case. The development is likely to prompt renewed attention on hiring, supervision and background checks for individuals placed in investigatory and oversight roles in state government.
Colton Ferris, State Correspondent
