Child porn, sex crimes; Racine County deputy accused
KENOSHA, Wis. - A Racine County deputy is accused of possession of child pornography and child sexual exploitation, among other crimes.
Prosecutors charged 36-year-old Preston Kite with possession of child pornography; child sexual exploitation (five counts); lewd, lascivious behavior - exposure; and disorderly conduct.
The sheriff's office said it is aware of the allegations of criminal activity, which happened the past weekend. Kite was immediately removed from duty and placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the termination process, officials said.
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Kite is accused of messaging a man on an app on Saturday, Feb. 3, telling him to come into a Racine County truck stop bathroom.
The man said Kite was in uniform in the bathroom and touching himself and reported him to the police the same day.
According to the criminal complaint, this led to an investigation, where law enforcement found child sex videos on his personal phone.
Investigators say Kite exchanged messages with another man who claimed to be 18. The two exchanged multiple videos back and forth, featuring adults having sex with young children.
Kite made his initial court appearance Thursday, Feb. 8. The court set cash bond at $150,000 with conditions that he not contact any minors. Should Kite post bond, online court records also state he will be placed on house arrest with GPS monitoring.
Preston Kite makes virtual initial appearance in court
Prosecutors say this could be just the start.
"What has been charged and found at this point is what I would call the beginning of an investigation," Kenosha County Deputy District Attorney Carli McNeill said. "So certainly I think there are concerns of what additional things might be found with further review of the cellphone."
Kite is due in court again on Thursday, Feb. 15.
Praise for ASL
Kite was previously praised for his American Sign Language work – including a specific encounter with a deaf child – last year. Officials said he was the only deputy in the county who knew ASL, and would use that skill to serve the public.
"Deputy Kite is an excellent example of how deputies use their unique skills and talents to serve the community," Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said in a Facebook post at the time.
Kite also served as a resource office for neighboring counties, stepping in with his ASL skills when needed.