A former Department of Homeland Security employee who molested three girls under the age of 14 in Southern California has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
Terry Edward Keegan, 60, was convicted March 23 in Orange County Superior Court of one felony count of indecent assault on a minor under the age of 14 and a single misdemeanor charge, each of child molestation, sexual assault, simple assault and destruction of or withhold evidence.
According to the Orange County Register, one of the alleged victims had lived with Keegan since she was about four years old. The other two alleged victims were friends of hers.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Andre Manssourian said in delivering Keegan’s verdict Wednesday that the former Homeland Security agent violated the girls’ trust.
“It turned out that the fox was guarding the chicken coop and the defendant undoubtedly abused a position of trust,” Manssourian said.
A former Department of Homeland Security employee who molested three girls under the age of 14 in Southern California has been sentenced to eight years in prison
Terry Keegan, 60, was convicted March 23 by Orange County Superior Court of a felony count of indecent assault on a minor under the age of 14. He will be brought to justice exclusively by the Chron
One of the alleged victims – now a teenager – spoke in court on Wednesday and said she was “young and vulnerable” when the abuse began.
“I was young and vulnerable and I was taken advantage of,” she said, the registry reported. “We were children and the man who was supposed to protect us hurt us.”
According to Assistant District Attorney Juliet Oliver, “the investigation fell through the cracks,” including shocking and disturbing revelations about Keegan’s fondness for young girls.
During the trial, the girl, who lived with the man she called “Grandpa,” testified that he once stuck his tongue in her mouth while kissing her goodnight.
She was 12 at the time and said the incident lasted a second or two.
She said in court of the incident she “just remembers being uncomfortable … I didn’t know what to do or how to react.”
According to the Los Angeles Times, the girl said he kissed her goodnight every night, and it was mostly just kisses on the forehead.
Other times he kissed her on the lips.
Ultimately, she chose to pretend the tongue prolapse “didn’t happen” and chose not to tell her “grandmother” over fears it might end their relationship.
“I didn’t want her to be alone,” she said.
After that night, however, the girl said she always “bowed her head.”
During the trial, the girl, who lived with the man she called “Grandpa,” testified that he once stuck his tongue in her mouth while kissing her goodnight
According to the Los Angeles Times, the girl said he kissed her goodnight every night, and it was mostly just kisses on the forehead
Ultimately, the young girl chose to pretend the tongue prolapse “didn’t happen” and chose not to tell her “grandmother,” fearing it might end their relationship
The investigation, which Assistant District Attorney Juliet Oliver said “fell through the cracks,” including disturbing revelations about Keegan’s attraction to young girls
Police have been made aware of the situation involving the young girl and her friend several times over the years, including in 2021 when the victim and her friends were there for spring break.
They said the 60-year-old man made inappropriate comments to a girl and insisted he take her swimsuit shopping.
On several occasions, the victims also said they believed Keegan photographed them and other girls at the pool.
Just before Easter in 2021, a friend of the girl who lives in the home said Keegan touched her buttocks and she said the man made her uncomfortable.
The victim told her mother, who later called the police.
She said he also made “inappropriate” comments about her body and breast size.
One of the most disturbing alleged encounters occurred when the young girl who lived in the house said she found a vibrator in his bedroom while she was looking for scissors.
She was in sixth grade and Keegan told her it was for an ex-girlfriend and he was saving it for her, according to the assistant district attorney.
The young girl said at her home that Keegan would often strip while pacing his bedroom across the street from hers.
Once, in a hotel room, she says, the man also masturbated in the bed next to her.
During a search of his apartment, the officers found a copy of the criminal complaint as well as a destroyed hard drive and a USB stick
Senior Deputy District Attorney Juliet Oliver (right) and Defense Attorney Jay Moorhead speak in court, while Homeland Security agent Terry Edward Keegan
Charges were filed against him in December 2021 but sealed due to his job.
However, on January 26, 2022, the charges were unsealed and officers executed a search warrant.
During a search of his apartment, the officers found a copy of the criminal complaint as well as a destroyed hard drive and a USB stick.
Prosecutors said they believe Keegan photographed the victims over the years.
“One wonders what was on those hard drives,” Manssourian said during the sentencing hearing, according to the Register. The judge also said the destruction of the hard drive was a “cloud hanging over this case”.
According to Assistant District Attorney Juliet Oliver, Keegan faces up to 22 years in prison.
In addition to working for Homeland Security, Keegan also worked for the Transportation Security Administration and was an assistant deputy for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.