GALVESTON, Texas – A former gymnastics and martial arts instructor in Alvin has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for receiving and possessing child pornography.
Franklin Joseph Perkins, 42, pleaded guilty on Feb. 3 to both charges. On Thursday, he was sentenced to 168 months for receiving and 120 months for possessing child pornography.
The sentences will run concurrently for a total of 168 months, or 14 years, behind bars.
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Perkins had previously worked at Kuk Sool Won Martial Arts Studio and Gulf Coast Gymnastics, both located in Alvin.
He came on the radar to law enforcement officials after an investigation revealed someone with a Google account had uploaded files possibly depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) onto their servers.
Law enforcement linked Perkins to that account and determined he had been using various Google accounts and his cell phone to receive and possess child pornography.
He was arrested in November of 2023.
After pleading guilty to the crimes earlier this year on Feb. 3, Perkins faced a minimum of five and up to 20 years for receiving CSAM and up to 10 years for possessing it.
During the sentencing hearing, the court heard additional details about Perkins’ previous work as a gymnastics and martial arts instructor. Prosecutors said Perkins offered massages to teenage girls, falsely claiming to be a licensed massage therapist. Investigators later confirmed he did not hold any license for massage therapy.
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The court also heard testimony that Perkins told a 13-year-old girl she had a “sexy body,” and, after she turned 14, gave her alcohol, touched her inappropriately, and attempted to force himself on her.
In a victim impact statement, the teen described how she had trusted Perkins as her gymnastics coach and felt manipulated and betrayed by his actions.
The judge presiding over the case called it “ugly” and emphasized that child pornography offenses involve real victims.
Perkins will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
After his release, Perkins will be on supervised release for 10 years and will be required to register as a sex offender. He will also face strict restrictions on his access to both minors and the internet.