KC Reporter

A Kansas City man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography. Leonardo Leon, 25, faces charges in a two-count indictment issued in Kansas City, Missouri. This replaces an earlier federal criminal complaint filed against him on October 14, 2024.

The indictment alleges that Leon used a minor to produce child pornography between August 1 and September 2, 2024. He is also charged with distributing the material.

An affidavit supporting the original complaint states that law enforcement responded to Children's Mercy Hospital after a 15-year-old victim died from a drug overdose on September 3, 2024. During their investigation, officers discovered that Leon had communicated with the victim's best friend via Instagram. The witness informed officers that Leon was involved sexually with the victim and had sent her a video of them together about a week after the victim's death.

Investigators found three video clips on Leon's Instagram account showing him engaging in sexual acts with the victim.

The charges are accusations and not proof of guilt. Evidence must be presented to a federal trial jury to determine guilt or innocence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth W. Borgnino is prosecuting this case, which was investigated by the Kansas City Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The program aims to locate and prosecute offenders while rescuing victims through collaboration among federal, state, and local resources.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood or Internet safety education, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.