Kenneth J. Houck Jr., an openly gay detainee at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, was critically injured last month during an alleged assault at the facility, family members say.
At the time, Houck, 36, was awaiting sentencing, after pleading guilty to one count of transportation of child pornography, which is a federal crime.
The alleged assault took place in early November, but authorities haven’t released the date, nor have they released the name of the hospital he’s at.
Houck’s father, Kenneth J. Houck Sr., said his son’s attorney said he sustained a broken leg, a dislocated hip and other unspecified injuries.
“[The alleged assailants] beat him up pretty bad,” he said.
He said relatives and friends are eager to visit Houck, and to convey their wishes for his recovery.
Houck’s mother, Barbara O’Connell, said she wants more details about her son’s condition.
“We’ve gotten some generalities like, ‘He’ll be alright,’” she said. “When is he not alright? When he’s on life support? [Prison authorities] don’t have the decency to give us prompt information about his condition. Where’s their heart? If this happened to one of their relatives, would they be acting the same way?”
Chris Burke, a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, said he couldn’t comment on Houck’s condition. He said security and privacy requirements limit the amount of information released about a detainee who’s been hospitalized.
Burke also declined to comment on the possibility of enhanced safety measures at the detention center, in light of the incident.
The Federal Bureau of Prison website lists Houck’s whereabouts as “unknown.”
O’Connell said her son has no history of violent behavior.
“He’s never been in a fight in his life,” she said. “He wouldn’t even know how to fight. I’m not just saying this because I’m his mother. I’d really like for my son to get help, because my son is sick and he needs help. He clearly has [mental-health] issues.”
She also said Houck needs treatment for substance-abuse issues.
Houck was employed as a business-account manager for Verizon prior to his arrest in February 2011, she said.
In September, U.S. District Judge Gregory M. Sleet accepted a guilty plea from Houck on one count of transportation of child pornography.
According to court records, Houck admitted sending multiple computer files containing images of child pornography from a computer in South Philadelphia to a computer in Delaware operated by a federal undercover agent.
The criminal activity took place between November 2010 and February 2011.
Houck also allegedly told investigators that he fantasized about molesting underage boys, according to court records.
Houck faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Houck’s father expressed hope that his son can serve his sentence at a facility in central New York state, closer to his family.
“We’d like him closer to our home,” he said. “And he needs a psychologist to work with him, so he can get his head straightened out. He was a great kid but got involved in drugs and went downhill from there.”
Houck’s sentencing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 23, 2012, at the U.S. Federal District Courthouse in Wilmington, Del.
David Cooper, an advocate for Houck, called for a thorough investigation of the alleged assault.
“Although I’m very disappointed with Kenny’s transgressions, I still believe his [alleged] assailants must be brought to justice,” Cooper said. “And those in charge must be held accountable. The [alleged] assault that took place cannot be justified under the system of law that we have.”
Cooper said Houck has been open about his attraction to young males.
“He doesn’t hide anything, and that may have served to his detriment,” Cooper said. “Kenny has been honest about his desires — perhaps too honest for his own good. And it clouded his judgment. But that doesn’t allow us to take the [alleged] assault on him lightly.”
Cooper expressed hope that Houck isn’t returned to the detention center in Philadelphia.
“Why would you want to put him back where he almost got killed?” he posed. “He needs to go to a facility that deals with the rehabilitation of his physical injuries, as well as his problematic fantasies.”
Patricia Hartman, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, had no comment on whether anyone would be charged in the incident.
“We’re aware of the incident,” Hartman said. “We don’t ever confirm or deny the existence of an investigation. We’re confirming that we have knowledge that an incident occurred.”
PGN has filed a federal Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of any video-surveillance tapes that may have captured the alleged assault on Houck. At press time, a response to the request hadn’t been received.
O’Connell said the family is determined to obtain justice for Houck.
“This is my son, he’s still a human being,” she said. “We still love and care about him. Kenny pleaded guilty to a crime, but that by no means justifies any of this abuse.”
Tieffa N. Harper, an attorney for Houck, had no comment for this story.
Tim Cwiek can be reached at [email protected].