Man Indicted for Traveling to Tennessee to Have Sex with a Minor

MONTGOMERY, AL—Charles Dean Partin, 36, of Clayton, Alabama, was arraigned today on a superseding indictment that charged him with transporting a minor victim from Alabama to Tennessee with the intent that he and the victim engage in sexual activity, announced George L. Beck, Jr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Partin was previously charged with transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines.

Partin had a detention hearing on October 31, 2012, and was detained without bond. At that detention hearing, an FBI agent testified that Partin knew and/or believed that he was being investigated by the Department of Human Resources (DHR) for having an improper sexual relationship with a minor. In order to get away from the DHR investigation, Partin took the minor from Alabama to Tennessee. While in Tennessee, a park ranger observed Partin and the minor victim involved in a sexual act. The park ranger called the police. When the police arrived, they placed the minor into Tennessee DHR custody, who then transferred the minor into Alabama DHR custody. Approximately 13 days after the minor was placed in DHR custody, Partin removed the minor from DHR custody. The police then issued an Amber Alert. Soon thereafter, Partin stole a vehicle in Dothan, Alabama, and drove the minor to Texas in an attempt to avoid the police. Partin and the minor were ultimately caught in Ohio and Partin was arrested.

“We must be diligent in keeping our children away from these child predators,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck. “It is a travesty when an adult preys on our young people, but it is particularly horrendous when it involves a sexual act. Our office will continue to work with all law enforcement to ensure that our children are safe from these criminals.”

If convicted, Partin faces a sentence of at least 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, and five years of supervised release.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson.