Man sent to prison for child sex crimes

September 3, 2026

Heyrman

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

LUDINGTON — A 56-year-old man was sentenced to 56 months to 20 years in prison for convictions of two counts of using a computer to commit a crime, one count of child sexually abusive activity and one count of accosting a child for immoral purposes Tuesday, Sept. 1, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court.

Kenneth Eugene Heyrman pleaded guilty to the charges, June 30.

“This case is yet another example of the need for parents’ heightened awareness and close monitoring of their children’s digital devices,” said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand. “In this case, the persons who the defendant believed he was communicating with was purportedly a 14-year-old child. The evidence revealed communication with more than one purported underaged female. The defendant sent graphic pictures of his genitals to whom he believed was a child.
“Some would call his actions a sickness, as his attorney did during sentencing,” said Prosecutor Hand. “His actions are criminal, and a prison commitment is necessary. There needs to be a loud clear message sent that this behavior, regardless of the motivation or psychological component to it, will not be tolerated. Child predators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. One of the three goals of any sentence is to deter others from like behavior—the other two being punishment and rehabilitation. Anyone who attempts to accost our children should recognize that the attempt to do so, even if unsuccessful, may very well land them in the department of corrections.”

Heyrman received two concurrent terms of 56 months to 20 years; 17 months to four years; and 23 months to seven years, according to court records.

The offense date for the crimes was Jan. 27, 2026, court records indicate. He received credit for 203 days served in jail.

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