Public records reflect 2014 federal conviction, denied appeal, registry classification, candidate withdrawals and district attorney response
As of time of publication, the forum to be hosted by The Cullman Chronicle has been canceled and all information from The Cullman Chronicle’s Facebook page has either been deleted or archived, no longer accessible to the public.
CULLMAN, Ala. – Federal court records reflect that Kelly Patrick Riggs, editor of The Cullman Chronicle, entered a guilty plea in United States District Court in connection with online communications with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 14-year-old girl.
The case was prosecuted in federal court, not in Alabama state court.
In a recent Facebook post to The Cullman Chronicle, which has now been deleted, Riggs wrote:
“I WAS NEVER CONVICTED IN ANY ALABAMA COURT.”
According to court documents filed in the federal case, Riggs entered into a plea agreement with the government and agreed to plead guilty to charges brought under 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b), which involves using interstate communications to attempt to persuade, induce or entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity.
The plea agreement states that on May 23, 2012, Riggs responded to an internet advertisement and communicated with an undercover officer whom he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.
Court records show that over several days he exchanged messages, sent nude images and arranged to meet the purported minor at a bowling alley on May 26, 2012. When he arrived at the location, he was arrested by law enforcement officers.
Federal court records reflect that a judgment of conviction was entered in the case in 2014. Federal court records further show that an appeal was filed in 2015 and was subsequently denied.
As part of the federal sentence, court documents show that Riggs was required to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 20913.
According to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office public registry, Riggs is listed as a registered sex offender.
The registry entry reflects an April 30, 2014, conviction date and includes offense classifications under Alabama Code § 13A-6-111, transmitting obscene material to a child by computer, and § 13A-6-69, enticing a child for immoral purposes, for state registry purposes.
The registry reflects Alabama registration and offense classification in connection with the federal conviction.
The Cullman County District Attorney’s Office also noted that certain federal offenses mirror corresponding Alabama statutes.
In a follow-up clarification, District Attorney Champ Crocker stated that while the conviction occurred in federal court under federal law, the conduct underlying some federal offenses mirrors Alabama criminal statutes.
When federal authorities prosecute a case, the offender is charged under the corresponding federal statute, even if the conduct aligns with similar provisions under Alabama law.
The Alabama Sex Offender Registry may reference Alabama Code classifications for tracking and registry purposes, even when the conviction itself occurred in federal court.
The Cullman Tribune submitted written questions to Crocker regarding federal registration requirements, Alabama registry obligations and enforcement under state law.
“The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) is a federal law establishing national standards for sex offender registration to improve public safety, and requiring offenders to register and regularly update their information,” Crocker said. “I am not familiar with underlying cases against Kelly Patrick Riggs, but an individual with that name is listed as convicted on April 30, 2014, of violating both Alabama Code 13A-6-111, transmitting obscene matter to child by computer and Alabama Code 13A-6-69, enticing a child for immoral purposes, on the publicly accessible sex offender registry on alea.gov and/or cullmansheriff.org.”
Crocker further addressed registration requirements for individuals convicted under federal statutes who reside in Alabama.
“SORNA is a federal statute that requires offenders convicted under both state and federal statutes to register as sex offenders,” he said. “What is required of those offenders can vary based on the level of the offense, the age at the time of conviction and other factors.”
Regarding enforcement under Alabama law, Crocker stated, “Failure to register as a sex offender is a state felony offense under SORNA. The first case I tried as district attorney in February of 2023 was against a convicted sex offender who failed to maintain his registration (State of Alabama vs. David Lee Moore, CC-2019-292). While I was appalled that someone who had sodomized a child in the 1990s and committed other crimes since wasn’t in prison, we tried him for violating SORNA, got the conviction, and Mr. Moore received a 75-year prison sentence. SORNA is the law of the land, and as long as I’m district attorney, it will be enforced in this county.”
Cullman County Sheriff candidate Chad Whaley addressed the matter publicly in a statement posted to his campaign Facebook page, announcing he would not participate in a March 21, 2026, political forum hosted by The Cullman Chronicle at the Brandin’ Iron in West Point.
“It has recently come to my attention that Mr. Kelly Patrick Riggs — a registered sex offender convicted in 2014 of transmitting obscene material to a child — is the editor of The Cullman Chronicle and owner of Riggs Publishing,” Whaley stated.
“After careful consideration, I will NOT be attending any political forum hosted by a convicted sex offender.”
Whaley referenced his background in law enforcement and school safety.
“As a father of three young children and someone who spent 12 years serving as a School Resource Deputy protecting our students, I have dedicated much of my career to standing between predators and our children,” he stated. “I will not legitimize or support any event organized by someone convicted of crimes against a child — especially under the banner of ‘prison reform.’ If it was up to me there would be no punishment harsh enough for anyone who harms a child!
“When it comes to crimes against children, I believe accountability must be strong and unwavering. Protecting our children is not political — it is a moral responsibility,” he concluded.
Whaley stated he plans to participate in other political forums, including the upcoming Cullman Tribune political forum in May.
Cullman County Sheriff candidate Tim Creel also issued a statement on his Facebook page announcing he would not attend the same upcoming political forum hosted by Riggs.
Creel said he reviewed information related to the event before making his decision.
“Over the past few hours, information has come to light that required review. When concerns involve the safety and well-being of children, I do not speculate; I verify and I take action. I examine facts and make decisions accordingly.”
Creel stated that he had previously accepted an invitation to participate in the forum, but reversed that decision after what he described as reviewing credible information.
“I was previously invited to participate in an upcoming political forum focused on prison reform with other candidates and had accepted that invitation. However, after reviewing credible information regarding associations connected to that event, I have made the decision to not attend,” he said.
He said he would not align himself with individuals or organizations connected, directly or indirectly, to crimes against children.
“I cannot in good conscience, align myself with any organization or individual that may have ties direct or indirect to crimes against children,” he said.
Creel emphasized that he has no affiliation with the individuals referenced in his statement. “Let me be absolutely clear; I have no relationship, affiliation or association with any individual involved in these allegations.”
He further stated that protecting children remains a priority in his campaign.
“I stand firmly and (unequivocally) against crimes targeting children. Protecting children is not a political talking point for me; it is a moral line that will never be crossed.”
Creel added that children in the community deserve vigilance and transparency from public officials.
“Our grandchildren, and every child in our community, deserves our vigilance, transparency, and adults who are willing to step away from anything questionable. In a world where appearances can be deceiving discernment matters.”
He said he remains committed to participating in appropriate public forums moving forward.
“I remain committed to engaging with the public in appropriate and responsible settings. We appreciated the opportunity to participate in past meet and greets and forums and we look forward to future public conversations.”
“Our most valuable asset is and always will be the children. Every decision we make will reflect that priority.”
The Cullman Tribune attempted to contact Riggs for comment prior to publication. No publicly listed contact information was available on The Cullman Chronicle Facebook page at the time of publication.
The Tribune’s reporting is based on publicly available federal court records, registry documentation and attributed public statements.
Timeline of events
May 23, 2012
Court records show Kelly Patrick Riggs responded to an online advertisement and began communicating with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl.
May 26, 2012
Court records show Riggs arranged to meet the purported minor at a bowling alley and was arrested upon arrival.
April 30, 2014
Federal court records show a judgment of conviction was entered following a guilty plea under 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b).
2015
Federal court records show an appeal was filed and later denied.
Post-conviction
Court documents show Riggs was required to comply with federal Sex Offender Registration requirements. The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office registry reflects Alabama registration and offense classification associated with the federal conviction.
As of publication, March 2026
Cullman County Sheriff candidates Chad Whaley and Tim Creel have publicly announced they will not participate in a March 21 political forum hosted by The Cullman Chronicle.
Understanding federal and state jurisdiction
Federal court
Federal criminal cases are prosecuted by the United States government in U.S. District Court under federal statutes. Convictions are entered by a federal judge.
Alabama state court
State criminal cases are prosecuted under Alabama law in Alabama circuit or district courts.
Registration requirement
Individuals convicted of qualifying federal offenses may be required to register under federal law. Alabama law requires registration for qualifying offenses and may classify offenses under Alabama Code for registry purposes.
A federal conviction does not constitute a state court conviction, but may still require registration in the state where the individual resides.
