Man Takes Plea Deal in Child Sexual Abuse Case, Sentenced to Three Years in Prison
Thursday morning, William Austin Kinard III, 44, was convicted of online child solicitation, transmission of harmful material to a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Facing a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, Kinard took a no-contest plea deal that was accepted by Judge Denise Ferrero, in which he was sentenced to three years in prison followed by two years of sex offender probation.
Kinard doesn't have much credit for time-served as he posted a $150,000 bond shortly after his arrest.
The plea agreement was signed by Assistant State Attorney Nicole Reed and Kinard was represented by Adam Stout, a private criminal defense attorney.
Update | August 6:
On August 3, the High Springs Police Department published a press release on the disposition.
There are rumors on social media regarding Kinard's wife being a supervisor within the Department of Children and Families; but this has not been independently verified.
This page will be updated after more information is uncovered.
Editor's Notes: When searching Kinard on court records, his first name must be spelled as "Willaim," but the correct spelling is "William."
