ST. LOUIS — A man accused of kidnapping and molesting two boys was indicted yesterday on federal charges he took pornographic pictures and videos of one of the youngsters.The indictment marked the first federal charges against Michael Devlin, 41, a former pizzeria manager from the St. Louis suburbs.

Devlin is charged with kidnapping and other offences in the 2002 abduction of Shawn Hornbeck, who is now 15, and the January abduction of 13-year-old Ben Ownby. Both boys were found in Devlin’s apartment on January 12.

US Attorney Catherine Hanaway said four counts of the six-count indictment alleges Devlin photographed and videotaped a minor engaged in sexually explicit acts between 2002 and this year. Two other counts allege he took the minor to Illinois and Arizona with the intent to engage in sexual assault.

Hanaway said all six counts involved the same child, identified only as “S.” The charges did not name Shawn, but authorities have alleged that Devlin held him captive from October 2002 until police found the boy in January.

While it is The Associated Press’ policy not to identify alleged victims of sexual abuse in most cases, the boys’ stories have been widely publicised and their names are now well-known. Their families have also gone public, conducting media interviews.

Besides the federal charges, Devlin faces 75 state charges, including forcible sodomy, kidnapping and armed criminal action. He has pleaded not guilty to all those charges.

Devlin’s attorney, Ethan Corlija, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment yesterday. The Hornbeck family attorney, Scott Sherman, also did not respond to an interview request.

Authorities allege Devlin used a gun to abduct Shawn as the boy was riding his bike near his home. Prosecutors have said he sodomised Shawn at least once a month for the next four years.

Neighbours thought Shawn was Devlin’s son and said the boy was free to ride a bike, hang out with friends and cruise the Internet.

When Ben was abducted soon after getting off a school bus in January, a witness got a description of the white pickup seen speeding away. The description matched Devlin’s vehicle, leading to his arrest.