MIAMI COUNTY, INDIANA: Kegan Anthony Kline, a paedophile catfisher who texted one of the victims of the Delphi murders on the day they went missing, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. In March, he pleaded guilty to 25 counts of child exploitation, child solicitation, identity theft, obstruction of justice, and possession of child pornography.
Kline, 29, used fake social media profiles such as ‘anthony_shots’ and ‘Emily Ann’ to lure young girls into sending him nude photos. He admitted that he was “depressed and lonely” and that he “knew it was wrong but [he] liked the attention," reported WTHR
'Down the hill'
Investigators found out that Kline had contacted Libby German, 14, through a fake Instagram account on the day she and her friend Abby Williams, 13, went hiking in Indiana’s Delphi Historical Trails in 2017. The girls were attacked and killed by an unknown assailant. Libby managed to record a video of the killer on her phone, which also captured his voice saying “down the hill”.
Kline was not charged with the murders of the girls, but he was linked to the case after police discovered his involvement in child-related crimes. He was eventually cleared of their murders, and another suspect, Richard Allen, 50, was arrested and charged with their deaths in 2022. It was also reported that Kline was securing a plea deal to nail Allen in the case who had pleased innocence.
He used the profiles of Emily Ann and Anthony_shots to catfish teenagers
Police Commander Christopher Cecil who testified against Kline as per the publication revealed how he conducted forensic examinations of his electronic devices seized from his home in 2017. These included five phones and a tablet and an iPod. These devices had several media apps and profiles of anthony_shots and Emily Ann. The Emily Ann account as per Cecil would target girls between 12 to 18 years from all over the country. The profile would then direct the girls to Kline's real social media profile and then would ask them, "Would you have s** with my dad?". However, his dad has no access to the explicit content as per another investigator. Celcil testified that Anthony Shots' catfish profile was on Instagram and Snapchat. Kline's search history revealed child pornography.
The investigators were able to identify six or seven underage female victims of Kline's crimes among more than 100 sexual photos on his devices. When questioned by the defense, Cecil said there was no evidence Kline ever paid for photos or ever met anyone in person that he messaged online. Kline had previously told the judge that he thinks he is bipolar and schizophrenic.
Kline admitted his guilt
Kline admitted his guilt and then testified under oath about the crimes he committed. Kline acknowledged getting explicit images as well as pictures of young women with exposed breasts. Kline acknowledged possessing obscene photographs of young females. Kline acknowledged contacting his victims on social media using the fake accounts "Emily Ann" and "anthony_shots" created by Catfish. He also acknowledged that by removing social media programs from his devices, he hindered the course of justice. Kline will also have to register as a violent sexual offender when he is released from prison.
The Delphi murder case has attracted a lot of attention and speculation over the years, as the killer remained elusive for a long time. The families of the victims have been waiting for justice and closure, while the public has been following the developments and hoping for a resolution. The trial of Allen is expected to start in 2023.
