A former martial arts and gymnastics instructor from Alvin, Texas, has been sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Franklin Joseph Perkins, 42, pleaded guilty on February 3. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown sentenced Perkins to concurrent terms of 168 months for receipt and 120 months for possession of child pornography, resulting in a total sentence of 168 months in prison. After serving his sentence, Perkins will be under supervised release for ten years with restrictions on his access to children and the internet. He is also required to register as a sex offender.
During the sentencing hearing, the court reviewed evidence about Perkins' employment as a gymnastics and martial arts instructor. It was revealed that he gave massages to female teens while claiming to be a massage therapist without having any license for such services. The court also heard testimony that Perkins made inappropriate comments to a 13-year-old girl about her body and later provided her alcohol when she turned 14 before touching her inappropriately and attempting further assault. The victim's impact statement described how she trusted Perkins as her coach but felt manipulated and betrayed.
Perkins had previously worked at Kuk Sool Won martial arts studio and Gulf Coast Gymnastics in Alvin.
The investigation began after authorities discovered files potentially depicting child sexual abuse material uploaded via a Google account linked to Perkins. Law enforcement determined that he used multiple Google accounts and his cell phone to receive and possess this material.
Perkins remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, Pearland Police Department, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Leo and Colton Turner prosecuted the case under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc; resources on internet safety education are also available there under the "resources" tab.
"The court noted that child pornography cases are ugly cases with real victims."
