Cabell County Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling in Interstate Commerce to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor

HUNTINGTON, WV—Otis C. Adkins, 60, of Branchland, Cabell County, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers to traveling in interstate commerce with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. The investigation revealed that on June 28, 2011, Adkins began chatting over the Internet with an individual who identified herself as a 15-year old girl. Unbeknownst to Adkins, the minor was in fact an officer with the Ashland (Kentucky) Police Department. Adkins admitted that from June 28, 2011, to July 13, 2011, he engaged in sexually explicit dialogue with the minor over the Internet and made clear his interest to engage in sexual activity with her. Adkins arranged to meet the minor at an Ashland, Kentucky restaurant on the morning of July 13, 2011. On that date, Adkins traveled from his residence in West Virginia to Kentucky for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with the minor. Adkins was arrested by officers after he arrived at the predetermined location in Kentucky.

Adkins faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on March 5, 2012.

The Ashland Kentucky Police Department, the Kentucky State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the West Virginia State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Johnston is in charge of the prosecution.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.