Authorities seek potential child exploitation victims in Southeast Texas

Former Martial Arts and Gymnastics Instructor Charged with Child Pornography Crimes

HOUSTON – A former martial arts and gymnastics instructor from Alvin has been charged with multiple child pornography crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Franklin Joseph Perkins, 40, previously worked at the Kuk Sool Won Dojo and Gulf Coast Gymnastics, both located in Alvin. He is charged with transportation, receipt and possession of child pornography. 

Detention Hearing and Community Danger

Perkins appeared today for a detention hearing, at which time U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Edison found him to be a danger to the community and ordered him into custody pending further criminal proceedings.

Identification of Victims and Call for Information

Law enforcement has identified at least two alleged victims but believe there are more. If you are a victim or have any information about potential others, please contact Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Galveston at 409-443-0103.

Indictment and Investigation Details

1. A federal grand jury returned the three-count indictment Nov. 15.
2. The investigation began when they learned of suspected child sexual abuse materials uploaded using an online account Perkins controlled.
3. A federal search warrant at his residence revealed child sexual abuse content stored in a Google Drive account associated with Perkins.
4. Law enforcement also discovered non-pornographic images of underage minors in gymnastics clothing and screenshots depicting young girls’ social media accounts.

Allegations of Sexual Assault and Inappropriate Contact

During the investigation, two women, now adults, have come forward to report allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate contact involving Perkins when they were still minors living in Alvin.

“Every day we entrust our children, often budding athletes, to the care of coaches and authority figures. We cannot and will not take these kinds of allegations lightly,” said Hamdani. “But, we also need your help. Our goal is not only to secure justice but to also make sure any and all possible victims have their voices heard. If you or anyone you know has been in contact with Franklin Perkins and have knowledge any potential crime, please come forward.”

Support for Victims and Recovery

“Identifying victims of child sexual exploitation not only helps law enforcement investigate and convict the individuals responsible for the abuse, it also helps to connect the victims and their families with the services they need to recover,” said Mark Dawson, special agent in charge for HSI Houston.

HSI has dedicated full-time victim assistant specialists who work closely with child sexual exploitation victims to connect them with the medical treatment, counseling, and other services that they might need following sexual abuse. They provide a trauma-informed environment conducive to recovery.

Potential Penalties

If convicted, Perkins faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years in federal prison for the transportation and receipt charges, and up to 10 years for possessing child pornography. All counts also carry a potential fine of $250,000 as well as special assessments under relevant acts and mandatory restitution.

Reporting Suspected Victims

Suspected victims of child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children by calling its toll-free 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST.

Prosecution and Project Safe Childhood

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colton Turner is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood – a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

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