British man who came to US to have sex with pre-teen boys pleads guilty, agrees to 13-year prison sentence
LOS ANGELES – A British man who traveled to the Coachella Valley to have sex with pre-teen boys pleaded guilty Wednesday to transportation of child pornography and agreed to a 13-year prison term.
Paul Charles Wilkins, 70, of Littleport in East Cambridgeshire, England, a dual U.S.-United Kingdom citizen, was charged earlier this year in a four-count indictment with traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct; attempted sex trafficking of children; transportation of child pornography; and possession of child pornography. The charges are the result of a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Shay.
During Wednesday’s court hearing, Wilkins admitted he traveled to the U.S. from the United Kingdom in January 2016 for the purpose of having sex with two brothers, 10 and 12 years old. Wilkins also admitted that in February 2016 he attempted to solicit a 9-year-old boy for intercourse in exchange for $250. Additionally, Wilkins admitted he possessed child pornography on his computer and brought child pornography from the U.K. into the U.S., including graphic images of boys ranging in age from 5 to 8 years old.
Under the plea agreement filed in advance of Wednesday’s hearing, the defendant agreed to a sentence of 13 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised released.
“This defendant’s conduct was extremely dangerous,” said United States Attorney Eileen Decker. “He sought to have sex with another boy immediately after his original arrangements to have sex with two pre-teen boys fell apart. It is critical, therefore, that today’s guilty plea will keep the defendant in prison for well over a decade.”
Wilkins, who has been ordered held without bond, is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee Jan. 11, 2017.
“This defendant learned firsthand the fate that awaits predators who come to this country to sexually exploit our children,” said Joseph Macias, special agent in charge for HSI Los Angeles. “HSI special agents continue to work tirelessly to identify individuals who’re engaged in this reprehensible practice and ensure they’re held accountable for their actions. Above all, our collaborative efforts have prevented countless children from falling prey to these traveling pedophiles, who wrongly believe that purchasing an airline ticket and boarding a plane puts them out of the reach of the law.”
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
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