4:30 p.m. Update

According to the Department of Justice, the warrant on Kyle Kirby was the result of an undercover online investigation. 

A forensic examination of Kirby’s patrol car computer found at least 87 sexually explicit images of children, according to the US Attorneys Office. 

The FBI wasn’t able to recover a computer from Kirby’s home. 

Kirby faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervision.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown. Kirby was formally charged today. 

The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the DOJ to crack down on child abuse.

This is an ongoing breaking story. Check back here for more details. 

*****

Following article posted at 1:15 p.m.

A Live Oak police sergeant is facing federal charges for child pornography.

The FBI arrested Sgt. Kyle Kirby around 9 a.m. today and took him directly to its detention facility in Jacksonville after it searched his home last week for child pornography. 

Live Oak Police Chief Buddy Williams said he first became aware last Thursday when the FBI met with him at the police department to serve the search warrant. 

“That’s when the bomb was dropped,” Williams said.

Agents went through Kirby’s home after he was called into Williams’s office. 

The LOPD cooperated but was not involved in the investigation in any capacity, Williams said. 

The department turned in one work laptop issued to Kirby to the FBI. 

Kirby was suspended on the day of the search. 

His first appearance in front of a judge is set for 3 p.m. today, at which time the details of the investigation will become unsealed. 

Kirby is well-known in the community and worked frequently with youth, particularly as an athletics coach, Williams said. He has a wife and children, around the ages of 12 and 15, the chief added. 

There will be further investigation by the FBI about his involvement with local youth, Williams said.

“It’s something that we all, right now, are just really having a hard time processing,” Williams said. “The only way to face something like this is head-on.”

Kirby was hired at the LOPD in September 2002.

This is an ongoing breaking story. Check back here for more details. 

*****

Previous article posted at 11:10 a.m.

Live Oak Police Department Sgt. Kyle Kirby was arrested by the FBI today for child pornography, LOPD Chief Buddy Williams confirmed in a press conference that is currently underway at LOPD.

This is a breaking story. More details will be published once available.