KC Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Child Sex Crimes, Amber Alert

A Kansas City man will spend more than 17 years in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material after luring a 13-year-old child from Texas, an incident that triggered an Amber Alert.

Talib Bwana Muhammad, 27, was sentenced to 210 months, or 17.5 years, in prison after pleading guilty to one count of producing child sexual abuse material. The United States Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing.

According to court documents, Muhammad began communicating with the child over social media in June 2023. He quickly formed an inappropriate relationship with the minor and arranged for the child to travel from Texas to Kansas City, Missouri. When the child was unable to board a flight that Muhammad had purchased, he instead drove to Texas to pick the child up in person.

Authorities issued an Amber Alert after the minor was reported missing. Investigators tracked the child to Muhammad’s residence in the Kansas City area, where they found the child safe.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas City Police Department, and the Hitchcock, Texas, Police Department jointly led the investigation. During the operation, they found that Muhammad had taken photographs and recorded videos of sexual activity involving the child.

A federal judge sentenced Muhammad to prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender following his release.

“This case highlights the very real dangers that children face online,” said a U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson. “The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and our commitment to protecting children from exploitation.”

Authorities urged parents and guardians to monitor online activity closely and speak with children about internet safety, especially the risks of interacting with strangers.

Muhammad entered a guilty plea on January 3, 2025. His sentencing concludes a multi-agency investigation and underscores how online predatory behavior can escalate into criminal conduct.

Law enforcement officials continue to stress the importance of quick reporting and interagency cooperation when a child goes missing. In this case, the Amber Alert system was key in locating the child and preventing further harm.

Anyone with information about child exploitation or abuse is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency or submit tips to the FBI through their online portal.