Jalen Kitna, the son of former NFL Star John Kitna has been arrested on multiple felony counts of child pornography. Due to these allegations, he has been dismissed as the backup quarterback for the University of Florida Gators.
The Investigation
The Gainesville Police Department executed a search warrant on Kitna’s residence based on a tip that a Discord user had distributed an image of child sex abuse.
According to the arrest report, Kitna admitted to the police that he was on servers that engage in sexual abuse material on Discord and Kik. One of the images possessed by Kitna depicts a “juvenile girl engaged in a sexual act with an adult man.” Other images were found that show two nude juveniles in the shower.
Kitna told investigators that he believed that the photos he sent were legal but he received an email after that conversation on Discord that his account was deactivated due to a violation of the terms of service.
According to the affidavit, Kitna admitted to struggling with an addiction to child sex abuse material, incest, and other pornography. When his phone was also searched, officers recovered three images of child pornography.
The Charges
The GPD is looking to charge Kitna with multiple second-degree felony counts of possession and promotion of obscene material. Due to the seriousness of these charges, he could face up to five years in prison.
Officially, Kitna is charged with:
- Possession of sexual photos of a child—three charges
- Promotion of sexual media of a child—two charges
The Impact of the Allegations
Kitna, a freshman, played four games as the primary backup this season and was expected to compete for the starting quarterback position in 2023 if Anthony Richardson leaves early for the NFL draft.
Due to the criminal charges he faces, he has been scrubbed from the Gator’s roster. And is “trespassed” from the UF campus. He is effectively barred from entering any UF properties for the next three years. Keep in mind: he has only been accused and not convicted of the felony charges.
A Gator team spokesperson stated:
“These are extremely serious charges and the University of Florida and UAA have zero tolerance for such behavior. Jalen has been suspended indefinitely.”
His $80,000 bond was paid on December 2nd, and he will be spending his pretrial time at his family’s home in Texas. Officials will be continually monitoring his internet access while he awaits trial. Kitna’s next hearing has yet to be scheduled.
Learn More > Defending Child Pornography Charges
Protecting Your Future After an Accusation
A child pornography crime conviction can be life-changing. As we have seen in Jalen’s case, the charges that he faces will have far-reaching consequences if he is convicted. This will have a major impact on his future, including the completion of his degree program, future employment opportunities, and more.
Federal Law imposes a minimum five-year sentence on sex pornography offenders. Worse yet, they may be required to register as a sex offender. This is why it is so important to call an experienced defense attorney immediately after an arrest. Yes, you may have been accused, but our attorneys are here to help mitigate the risks that you may face. Afterall, you are innocent until proven guilty.
Building a Sex Case Defense
As a former prosecutor and Florida board-certified attorney, Ben Stechschulte understands the impact that a conviction could have on your life. If you have been convicted of child pornography possession or another sex-related crime, his experience can help prevent charges even if the federal government is involved.
Contact Stechschulte Nell Law at 813-280-1244 to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer today.
Featured image courtesy of the New York Post
