Handcuff (File)

Texas Martial Arts Instructor Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Charges

Handcuff (File)
Handcuff (File)

A former martial arts and gymnastics instructor in Southeast Texas has pleaded guilty to receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials.

Franklin Joseph Perkins, 41, of Alvin, Texas, entered his guilty plea on February 3rd in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Perkins previously worked at the Kuk Sool Won martial arts studio and Gulf Coast Gymnastics in Alvin.

“With today’s conviction we have removed a dangerous predator from the community who presented a significant threat to the safety of our children,” said HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “By receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials, Mr. Perkins contributed to the revictimization of the minors who were abused to produce the materials. Thanks to the outstanding support that we receive from our law enforcement partners and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, we were able to expose this vile predator for who he is and ensure he never again serves in a position of trust.”

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The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip about a Google user uploading suspected child sexual abuse material.

Authorities linked the account to Perkins and determined he had been using various Google accounts and his cell phone to receive and possess child pornography.

Perkins faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison for receiving child sexual abuse materials, and up to 10 years for possessing it. He also faces potential fines and mandatory restitution to victims. Sentencing is scheduled for April 15th.

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