A man from Kirksville, Missouri on Thursday pleaded guilty to a child pornography charge after being caught by an undercover police officer posing as a 12-year-old girl.
Corey Alexander Wadel, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography. Wadel admitted that he possessed more than 600 images containing child sexual abuse material and exchanged that material with others online. He also admitted to taking pictures of himself exposing his genitals to two young children.
The investigation began after law enforcement in the United Kingdom notified Homeland Security Investigations that someone in the United States, later identified as Wadel, was talking to an undercover officer posing as a twelve-year-old female. Using Kik Messenger, Wadel sent explicit images and videos of himself to the officer.
As part of the plea agreement, both sides have agreed to recommend 12 years in prison when Wadel is sentenced in July.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Bateman prosecuted the case.
