Joel Galen Patton, a 40-year-old resident of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 150 months in federal prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Authorities said Patton engaged online with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl, requesting nude photos and sending explicit images of himself. He also asked to meet the individual for sexual activity.
After serving his prison term, Patton will be subject to supervised release for life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the West Virginia State Police. U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided over the proceedings.
