West Virginia man indicted for inducing underage girl to engage in illicit conduct

Michael A. Wilt, 56, fo Buckhannon, West Virginia, was charged with enticement and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, said U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon.

Wilt used a compuer and cellular phone from August 8 through September 15, 2016, to attempt to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a 14-year-old girl, to engage in illegal sexual activity with him.  The indictment also charges on or about September 15, 2016, Wilt knowingly traveled from West Virginia to Ohio, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct, as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(f), with a 14 year‑old girl.     

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following an investigation by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.  

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.