Buckeye Union High School principal accused of luring minor for sexual exploitation

PHOENIX — The Buckeye Union High School principal was arrested Tuesday after being accused of luring a minor for sexual exploitation using an anonymous social media app.

Joe Kinney, 42, messaged an undercover FBI agent posing as a 12-year-old girl on the Whisper app on July 22, according to court documents.

Kinney responded to a post from the agent complaining she was bored by saying “she should get cozy in her bed and take off her clothes,” according to the arrest report.

The conversation progressed to Kinney explicitly telling the agent what he would do to her sexually and asking for nude photos, court documents said.

At one point, Kinney said he would “love to come rescue” the girl, who said she was in Oregon visiting her grandma, according to the arrest report.

The conversation ended the following day after Kinney told the girl he was at work and she asked if he had a fun job.

What did Buckeye Union High School District say about accused principal?

The district put Kinney on administrative leave on Tuesday. Assistant principal Kristin Koke will serve as interim principal.

Buckeye Union High School District said its focus was on its students.

“Because this is a personnel matter, we cannot share further details at this time,” the district said in a statement. “Our focus is on ensuring our students have access to an outstanding educational experience.”

Kinney faces one count of luring a minor for sexual exploitation in the case. His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m.

(UPDATE: The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced on Sept. 9, 2024, that it would not prosecute Kinney because there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction.)

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