Rapid City Predator: Adkins Gets 5 Months for Child Porn

RAPID CITY, SD – Matthew King Adkins, 48, of Rapid City, is facing the consequences for a depraved act. He was sentenced June 7, 2019, to five months in federal custody – time he’d already served – followed by five years of supervised release. The sentence comes after Adkins pled guilty to Possession of Child Pornography, a charge stemming from a disturbing trove of images discovered on his computer.

According to court documents, the FBI began investigating Adkins after discovering he knowingly possessed images of child pornography between April 6, 2017, and April 21, 2017, while residing in Rapid City. The images weren’t just stored; they were actively transported via the internet, crossing state lines and impacting interstate commerce – a key factor in federal jurisdiction.

The investigation didn’t stop at images. Law enforcement also uncovered disturbing written stories authored by Adkins, detailing sexual activity involving both adults and children. This escalation of depravity painted a grim picture of Adkins’s mindset and cemented the severity of the charges. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 8, 2018, and detained after entering his guilty plea on January 4, 2019.

Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken of the U.S. District Court handed down the sentence, also ordering Adkins to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund – a meager sum considering the damage inflicted. While five months may seem brief, the five years of supervised release will subject Adkins to strict monitoring, hopefully preventing further harm.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper spearheaded the prosecution, ensuring Adkins faced justice for his heinous crimes. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation, meticulously gathering evidence and building a case that left little room for doubt. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dark corners of the internet and the predators lurking within.

Grimy Times will continue to follow federal crime across the nation. The details of this case underscore the importance of vigilant law enforcement and the ongoing fight against the exploitation of children. Anyone with information regarding child exploitation is urged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children or their local FBI field office.