WHEELING, WV—A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging convicted sex offender Kevin Wick, 42, of Wheeling, with traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with multiple minor victims, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Wick is alleged to have repeatedly traveled across state lines from Wheeling, West Virginia to Martins Ferry, Ohio throughout late 2014 and early 2015 for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with multiple minor victims. Three of the victims are brothers, ranging in age from eight to eleven years old. On at least one occasion, Wick allegedly transported minor victims across states lines from Ohio to an apartment in Wheeling where he engaged in illicit sexual conduct with the victims.

Wick is charged with five counts of “Aggravated Sexual Abuse—With Children.” He faces between 30 years and life in prison on each count. He is further charged with five counts of “Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct.” He faces up to 30 years in prison on each count. Additionally, he is charged with five counts of “Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity.” He faces between ten years and life in prison on each count.

In June 2008, Wick was convicted of “Attempted Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse” and “Indecent Assault” in the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. As a result of that conviction, Wick is required to register as a sex offender and is listed as a “Sexually Violent Predator.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Vogrin is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Wheeling Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Northern District of West Virginia Crimes Against Children Task Force are leading the investigation.

U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld commended the efforts of the agents involved for the expeditious manner in which they investigated the case. The allegations regarding Wick came to the attention of West Virginia authorities less than two weeks ago.

Pursuant to a motion filed by the government, Wick will be detained pending trial.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.