Sandy Springs Dentist Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Possession
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – A metro Atlanta pediatric dentist has pleaded guilty to the possession of thousands of images and videos of child pornography.
31-year-old Dr. Paul Bogeun Kim was apprehended by FBI agents following a search of his home on December 19, 2023. During this search, agents discovered dozens of electronic devices containing about 1,948 images and 798 videos of child pornography.
Court documents indicate that Kim was implicated through the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operations Unit. This investigation was part of a wider probe into a commercial sex ring that targets female minors online and uses blackmail to coerce the teens into sexual acts and self-harm.
Investigation Details
The sex ring primarily operated by collecting images of its victims through Snapchat and selling them on multiple online platforms using Bitcoin. Authorities tracked a Bitcoin address linked to the purchase of three child pornography files, amounting to around $249, back to Kim’s residence in Sandy Springs.
During the investigation, Kim confessed to securing these materials with cryptocurrency, stating he used his Coinbase account on his phone for such transactions. While he believed one of the victims in a video was 17 or 18 years old, officials clarified she was actually 15 years old when first interviewed by the FBI.
Professional Background and Public Concern
Kim has worked in pediatric dental practices in Austell, Dunwoody, and Cumming. The revelation of his involvement in child pornography has shocked many parents who had trusted him with their children’s dental care. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan commented on the case, emphasizing the betrayal of trust, “Kim possessed materials depicting the sexual exploitation of minors simultaneously as parents were entrusting their children to his pediatric care.”
The possession and distribution of child pornography are grave crimes that harm the victims repeatedly each time the material is circulated online. Such actions lead to enduring consequences for the victims.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Following his arrest, Kim was granted bond on the condition that he remain in his home and refrain from accessing the internet or contacting children. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 21, 2024.
Call for Public Assistance
Authorities urge anyone with information that could assist the FBI’s ongoing investigations into similar crimes to reach out. They can contact the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-225-5324 or submit a tip online at ‘tips.fbi.gov’.
