Dangerous, repeat sex offender sentenced to 23 years for sexually extorting minors in exchange for vape pens

McALLEN, Texas – A 24-year-old Weslaco resident has been ordered to federal prison for coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Walter Wilkins pleaded guilty Dec. 20, 2024. 

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now sentenced Wilkins to a total of 276 months in prison. The court enhanced the sentence, finding Wilkins produced child sexual abuse material with a minor victim under 16 years of age and also found him to be a repeat and dangerous offender against minors. The court also heard testimony from the victims’ families who spoke of the lasting and devastating impact to their children. 

In handing down the prison terms, the court further ordered Wilkins to pay $13,564 in restitution and serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Wilkins will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. 

“Wilkins sexually preyed upon minors, inflicting mental scars on his victims that will likely haunt them for the rest of their lives. His conduct is even more shocking considering he was already on bond for state charges of child sex abuse when he committed this offense,” said Ganjei. “Wilkins is not the type of person that should be walking our streets, nor communicating online with minors. Fortunately, he will now spend the next 23 years in federal prison, unable to victimize anyone else.”

“Wilkins’ actions represent the worst kind of predatory behavior, targeting and exploiting vulnerable children in our community,” said acting Special Agent in Charge John A. Pasciucco, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, San Antonio. “HSI, together with our law enforcement partners, worked tirelessly to uncover the full scope of Wilkins’ crimes and ensure he faces justice. HSI will not tolerate those who use technology to coerce, abuse, and traumatize minors. Our agents remain steadfast in their resolve to pursue child predators and protect our children from those who seek to do them harm.”

The investigation began after the mother of a 13-year-old female

reported the sexual assault of her daughter. 

Wilkins had picked up the minor and sexually exploited her in exchange for vape pens. Authorities discovered Wilkins had created child sexual abuse material and then threatened to release the files to the victim’s classmates if they ceased to participate in the sexual relationship. At the time, Wilkins was out on bond for two other state cases involving the sexual abuse of children. 

Authorities further determined Wilkins exploited three additional minor victims. He advertised the sale of vape pens on social media and then coerced the children into sexual acts instead of financial payment.

Wilkins has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

HSI conducted the investigation with assistance of Weslaco Police Department and Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.