MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Elmer Leroy Kerns, of Paw Paw, West Virginia, has admitted to a sex charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Kerns, age 44, pled guilty to one count of “Interstate Travel for Sex with a Minor." Kerns admitted to traveling across state lines to engage in sexual activity with a person under the age of 18. The crime took place in July 2019 in the Northern District of West Virginia and elsewhere.
Kerns faces up to 30 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
