A US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent who worked on child exploitation cases has himself been indicted on rape, incest and multiple child sexual abuse charges relating to a juvenile girl in Alabama. Kent Blacklidge, 43, was charged by a Baldwin County grand jury with first- and second-degree rape, first- and second-degree sodomy, two counts each of first- and second-degree sexual abuse, and incest. The case is especially striking because Blacklidge's own professional role involved investigating and helping educate the public about crimes against children, prompting Alabama's Attorney General to call the allegations "profoundly disappointing and frankly disgusting."

Investigators opened the case on 11 January after receiving a report alleging abuse of a juvenile female, and Blacklidge was placed on administrative leave shortly afterwards. The Baldwin County District Attorney's Office recused itself because Blacklidge is a witness in other cases it handles, so the state Attorney General's office is prosecuting instead. He turned himself in on 5 September, and if released on bond he will face electronic monitoring, home confinement, and a ban on contacting the alleged victim or anyone under 18. Authorities say there is one known victim with no indication of others, and HSI has declined to comment given the ongoing case.