ABINGDON, VA – Two years on the run, dodging U.S. law enforcement in the shadows of Cancun, Mexico, couldn’t save Corey Richard Parton from accountability. The 36-year-old Bristol, Virginia man today pled guilty to failing to register as a convicted sex offender, a crime that landed him in federal court after a bizarre international flight.
Parton admitted to violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), specifically failing to update his registration and provide required information about international travel. Court documents reveal Parton’s troubles began in December 2018 when he was convicted in Russell County, Virginia, of proposing a sex act via communications systems and soliciting child pornography – both felonies. This conviction triggered his obligation to register as a sex offender upon his release.
Initially, Parton complied, registering with the Commonwealth of Virginia on April 16, 2019. But compliance didn’t last. In August 2023, the Virginia State Police (VSP) flagged irregularities in Parton’s SORNA information. He hadn’t updated his address, vehicle details, employment, or – crucially – his use of social media, a prohibited activity. Repeated requests for updated information went ignored, leading to charges in Bristol General District Court and a brief period of release on bond.
That’s when Parton vanished. An investigation uncovered a calculated escape: he traveled to Galveston, Texas, and boarded a cruise ship headed for Cancun. He disembarked in Mexico, abandoning any intention of returning with the vessel. Authorities eventually tracked him to the Ocean Dream Hotel in Coco Bongo Beach, Cancun, where he was living under the alias Dominque Garcia. The arrest came on May 25, 2025, ending his two-year evasion.
“This case demonstrates the dedication of federal and state law enforcement to tracking down those who attempt to evade their legal obligations, even across international borders,” stated Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, echoed that sentiment, highlighting the collaborative effort that brought Parton to justice.
The United States Marshals Service and the Virginia State Police continue to investigate the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Stone will handle the prosecution. Sentencing for Corey Richard Parton is pending, but he now faces the consequences of his attempt to disappear and avoid accountability for his crimes. The details of his sentence will be reported by Grimy Times as they become available.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes