Southeast Texas man who previously worked as martial arts, gymnastics instructor admits to receiving, possessing child sexual abuse materials

GALVESTON, Texas - A Southeast Texas man who previously worked as a martial arts and gymnastics instructor pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child sexual abuse materials Feb. 3 following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Pearland Police Department, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Franklin Joseph Perkins, a 41-year-old resident of Alvin, Texas, who previously worked at the Kuk Sool Won martial arts studio and Gulf Coast Gymnastics in Alvin pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to receipt and possession of child sexual abuse materials.

“With today’s conviction we have removed a dangerous predator from the community who presented a significant threat to the safety of our children,” said HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “By receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials, Mr. Perkins contributed to the revictimization of the minors who were abused to produce the materials. Thanks to the outstanding support that we receive from our law enforcement partners and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, we were able to expose this vile predator for who he is and ensure he never again serves in a position of trust.”

The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified law enforcement that they had received a tip indicating that a user with a Google account had uploaded files possibly depicting child sexual abuse material onto their servers. Following that alert, authorities were able to link Perkins to the account and determined he had been using various Google accounts and his cell phone to receive and possess child pornography.

Perkins will remain in custody pending his sentencing, which is scheduled for April 15. At that time, he faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years for receiving child sexual abuse materials and up to 10 years for possessing it. He could also be ordered to pay up to a $250,000 fine, as well as a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Trafficking Act, up to a $35,000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act, and mandatory restitution in an amount of no less than $3,000 per victim.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Leo, Carrie Wirsing and Colton Turner are prosecuting the case.

For more news and information on HSI’s efforts to investigate child exploitation and other transnational criminal activity in Southeast Texas, follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSIHouston.