The maximum sentence is life, but the actual sentence may be less.
Baltimore, Md (KM) A Walkersville man pleaded guilty on Wednesday in US District Court in Baltimore to federal charges of coercion and enticement of a minor.
The US Attorney’s Office for Maryland say Michael Vance Culpepper, 56, used mobile phones and online applications to pressure, induce, entice and coerce victims for sexual activity. He believed the victims to be 13 to 14 year-old girls.
Federal prosecutors say his first victim was an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl. He used the internet and his phones to communicate with the “victim,,” exchanging sexually explicit messages, and requesting sexually explicit messages from the person he was comminating with. Culpepper agreed to meet up with the victim at a restaurant in Hanover. He came to the restaurant on May 8th, 2023 and was arrested.
Culpepper was released on May 9th, 2023 under the condition that have no further contact with minors.
.Later on,, according to federal prosecutors, Culpeper began to connect online with Jane Doe 1, a 14-year-old girl. He arranged a meeting with her to engage in unlawful sexual activities. Culpepper picked up Jane Doe 1 on May 28th, 2023. He drove her around, treated her to some ice cream and vaping products, Culpepper wanted her to engage in sexual contact. She refused.
The US Attorney’s Office says Culpepper could face life in prison at sentencing along with a lifetime of supervised release. But prosecutors say actual sentences for federal crimes are often less than the maximum penalties.
No sentencing date has been announced.
This case was brought about as part of Project Safe Childhood. It’s a nationwide initiative launched in May, 2006, by the US Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. It’s led by the US Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation, Obscenity and Abuse. Section. It’s goal is to locate, apprehend an prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children. Project Safe Childhood also identifies and rescues exploited children.
By Kevin McManus