FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) – A man who officials say once had an Internet profile listing a hobby of “hunting cops” was indicted on federal charges of murdering a deputy during a search for child pornography at his home.

A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted Kenneth Wilk on first-degree murder charges, saying he intentionally and maliciously shot and killed Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy Todd Fatta, 33.

Investigators said when officers broke down the front door, Wilk fired a rifle shot at Fatta that penetrated his protective vest, and he kept firing at Sgt. Angelo Cedeno through a wall while the sergeant took cover. Cedeno was wounded in the shoulder and lost a finger.

Wilk, 43, had told his gay partner Kelly Ray Jones that he had weapons around their house, the indictment said. Jones had already been arrested on child pornography charges and was in jail during the Aug. 19 raid.

If convicted of murder, the only possible sentences for Wilk are life in prison or the death penalty, U.S. Attorney Marcos Jimenez said. Federal prosecutors in Florida have never obtained a death sentence from a jury. If they fail to obtain a death sentence, state prosecutors could try, Jimenez said. Wilk was scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

Jones, 39, pleaded guilty Thursday to scheming to obtain and distribute sexually graphic images of children. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to 20 years, as well as a $250,000 fine. Sentencing was set for Jan. 14.

AP-ES-10-22-04 0345EDT

Copy the Story Link