Oregon man sentenced for messages to girl, 12

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — A Gresham man has been sentenced to 6 years in prison for attempted rape after a mother discovered his inappropriate text messages on her 12-year-old daughter’s cell phone.

Prosecutors said 29-year-old Patrick Lee Kenney also pleaded no contest to attempted sexual abuse and furnishing obscene material to a minor.

Kenney met the girl on the MySpace online site.

The girl’s mother happened to see the text messages and gave the phone to Klamath County sheriff’s deputies, who continued the text chat with Kenney.

Detectives say they arrested Kenney at a park while he was trying to meet the victim.

Prosecutor David Groff said the case is a reminder about the dangers children face from Internet predators.

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