A shocking case of child abuse has come to light in Washington, with a former service member pleading guilty to sexually molesting a young child on multiple military bases.
Kenneth Paul Descoteaux, 41, pleaded guilty to two counts related to the sexual abuse of a minor in U.S. District Court in Tacoma. The abuse occurred on different military bases in Washington and Louisiana, and spanned several years.
According to records filed in the case, the victim disclosed the abuse while residing in Wyoming. The Cheyenne Police Department worked closely with the FBI and law enforcement at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and the Fort Polk Military Installation to investigate the crimes.
The victim was repeatedly struck in the head by Descoteaux, causing hearing loss. The minor victim’s mother was a deployed service member periodically serving overseas at the time of Descoteaux’s crimes.
Descoteaux was arrested in April 2016, and is facing a recommended sentence of 23 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle scheduled sentencing for August 7, 2017.
Despite the 23-year sentence recommendation, Judge Settle can impose any sentence up to the maximum penalty of life in prison. Descoteaux will be required to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison and could face federal supervision for the rest of his life.
The case was investigated by the Cheyenne Police Department, the FBI, and JBLM-CID. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana provided substantial assistance.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Grady J. Leupold, who serves as the Military Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
MANDATORY FACTS:
1. Defendant/respondent REAL full name or legal entity name: Kenneth Paul Descoteaux
2. Exact criminal charges: Two counts related to sexual molestation of a young child
3. City and state: Tacoma, Washington
4. EXACT DATE with month/day/year: 2016-04 (arrest date) and 2017-08-07 (sentencing date)
5. Sentence or outcome: 23 years in prison (recommended sentence)
6. Dollar amounts where applicable: None
Related Federal Cases
- Joshua Carl Harrod, Child Molestation, Washington 2024 · Louisiana
- Kamron Dylan Duane Cooper, Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Washington 2021 · District of Columbia
- Reginald Steele Jr., Child Murder, Washington D.C., 2020 · Louisiana
- Charles Tyler Himber, Obstruction of Law Enforcement, Washington DC, 2024 · Louisiana
- Michael Brandon Stewart, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Washington 2023 · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes