Kaden Heard, a 31-year-old resident of Foley, Alabama, has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison following his convictions for attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography. Heard pleaded guilty on September 19, 2025.
Court documents show that Heard used a social media application to communicate with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl in Phoenix. During these conversations, he expressed an intention to travel to Arizona to engage in sexual activity with the minor and sent explicit photographs of himself. He also discussed bringing alcohol, drugs, condoms, and a “secret” phone for their meeting. A search of his social media accounts revealed thousands of chats where he actively sought images of child pornography. Investigators seized his cell phone and found hundreds of images depicting child pornography, including those involving prepubescent minors. During an interview with authorities, Heard confessed fully.
At sentencing on December 12, 2025, United States District Judge Kristi DuBose ordered Heard to serve 121 months in prison followed by a 15-year term of supervised release. While incarcerated, Heard will be required to participate in sex offender treatment and mental health treatment programs. Upon release, he must register as a sex offender and is prohibited from having contact with minors. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution to the victim and $200 in special assessments.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello for the Southern District of Alabama announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Phoenix and Mobile Divisions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kacey Chappelear prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative started in May 2006 that brings together federal, state, and local resources to address child sexual exploitation and abuse cases nationwide. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc; additional internet safety resources are available at https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources.
