x
Breaking News
More () »

Registered sex offender accused of assaulting 8-year-old boy, other sex crimes

Investigators said 75-year-old Leroy McKenney has past convictions for sex crimes.

MATHEWS COUNTY, Va. (WVEC) -- Sheriff's deputies said a registered sex offender faces a new round of charges after an incident involving an 8-year-old boy.

Mathews County Emergency Communications Center received a call about the incident on Sunday.

Investigators went to the 2300 block of Buckley Hall Rd. where they identified the adult involved as 75-year-old Leroy Dutton McKenney.

A search of the Virginia State Police's Sex Offender Registry shows that McKenney was convicted in Mathews County in September 1996 on charges related to forcible sodomy and child pornography.

%INLINE%

Deputies searched McKenney's home on Buckley Hall Road on Sunday. They recovered evidence related to the incident involving the 8-year-old boy.

McKenney faces charges of Abduction by Force, Sexual Battery, Contribute to the Delinquency of a Minor (2 counts), Indecent Liberties (2 counts), Produce/Make Child Porn (2 counts), and 16 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (2nd Offense).

McKenney is in the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center with no bond set.

"Any time a child is hurt it's horrible," said neighbor, Faye Desjardin.

Desjardin would often help McKenny and his sister, who he lived with, with household chores.

"I would say they are mentally challenged," said Desjardin.

She said she started worrying about McKenny a few months ago when a man moved in across the street from McKenny. The man's 13-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son would visit every other weekend.

"I know I was a little nervous when those kids started coming over and stuff because of the history," said Desjardin.

The father of the alleged victim said he was unaware of McKenny's past. However, he said McKenny put up a basketball hoop and swing as if almost trying to lure the children onto his property.

McKenny's sister Rose said she never saw her brother harm any children.

"I've never seen him do nothing to him, he gave him cookies because the child wants them but I ain't ever see him harm a child," said Rose McKenny.

Follow 13News Now on Facebook and Twitter

► Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13News Now App.

Before You Leave, Check This Out