Joel Galen Patton, a 40-year-old resident of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 150 months in federal prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. According to court records, Patton engaged online with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. He requested nude photographs from the individual and sent nude images of himself. Patton also sought to arrange an in-person meeting for sexual activity.
Following his prison term, Patton will be subject to supervised release for life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the West Virginia State Police. U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided over the proceedings.
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