Mingo Child Molester Gets 30-Year Federal Prison Sentence for Producing Child Pornography

CHARLESTON, WV—A Mingo County pedophile who sexually assaulted a minor child, videotaped the abuse, and copied the video onto a recordable DVD that was later discovered inside a rental computer in July 2012 was sentenced today to the statutory maximum of 30 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Paul Silas Jenkins, 33, of Williamson, previously pleaded guilty in August to production of child pornography. Jenkins’ sentence was handed down by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. in Charleston.
U.S. Attorney Goodwin said, “Pedophiles like Mr. Jenkins who victimize children and steal their innocence are downright sickening, plain and simple.” Goodwin continued, “Today’s sentence assures that this child molester will spend a very long time in prison, where he belongs.”
Between some time in 2010 and December 2011, Jenkins established a relationship with a minor between the age of 12 and 16 years old. During that time, Jenkins made the minor perform sexual acts with him and then produced a video of the conduct. Jenkins copied the video containing child pornography onto a recordable DVD. The DVD was discovered inside a rented computer that was returned to a Rent-A-Center located in Pike County, Kentucky, in July 2012.
United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. said at sentencing that Jenkins “ravaged and raped” the young victim in this case. Judge Copenhaver further stated that the defendant was a “danger to the community.”
The bourt ordered that Jenkins’ 360-month prison term be served concurrently with his state conviction on two counts of second-degree sexual assault of two other minor children.
The FBI and the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada handled the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia. Since January 2012, 26 defendants have been sentenced to a total of more than 156 years in federal prison.