A 24-year-old resident of Weslaco, Texas, Walter Wilkins, has been sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for coercion and enticement of a minor. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Wilkins pleaded guilty on December 20, 2024. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane delivered the sentence of 276 months in prison after determining that Wilkins had produced child sexual abuse material involving a victim under the age of 16 and classified him as a repeat and dangerous offender against minors. The court also heard statements from victims’ families about the ongoing effects on their children.
Wilkins was ordered to pay $13,564 in restitution and will be placed on supervised release for life after serving his prison term. He must follow strict conditions limiting his access to both children and the internet, and he will be required to register as a sex offender.
“Wilkins sexually preyed upon minors, inflicting mental scars on his victims that will likely haunt them for the rest of their lives. His conduct is even more shocking considering he was already on bond for state charges of child sex abuse when he committed this offense,” said Ganjei. “Wilkins is not the type of person that should be walking our streets, nor communicating online with minors. Fortunately, he will now spend the next 23 years in federal prison, unable to victimize anyone else.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge John A. Pasciucco of Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Antonio added: “Wilkins’ actions represent the worst kind of predatory behavior, targeting and exploiting vulnerable children in our community. HSI, together with our law enforcement partners, worked tirelessly to uncover the full scope of Wilkins’ crimes and ensure he faces justice. HSI will not tolerate those who use technology to coerce, abuse, and traumatize minors. Our agents remain steadfast in their resolve to pursue child predators and protect our children from those who seek to do them harm.”
The investigation started after a mother reported her 13-year-old daughter had been sexually assaulted by Wilkins. Authorities learned that Wilkins picked up the minor and exploited her sexually in exchange for vape pens. He created child sexual abuse material and threatened to share it with classmates if she refused further participation. At the time these crimes were committed, Wilkins was out on bond for two other state cases related to child sexual abuse.
Further investigation found that Wilkins exploited three additional minors using social media advertisements for vape pens as a way to coerce them into sexual acts instead of payment.
Wilkins remains in custody awaiting transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
HSI led the investigation with support from Weslaco Police Department and Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at fighting child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide by combining resources across federal, state, and local agencies.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood or internet safety education resources, visit DOJ’s PSC page.
