Stepfather of 19-Year-Old Who Vanished 10 Years Ago Arrested, Charged With Sex Offenses

The stepfather of a 19-year-old who vanished in Virginia more than a decade ago is now facing multiple sex-related offenses in relation to her and other victims, according to authorities.

James Branton was arrested on Friday, April 10, by Spotsylvania County detectives and Virginia State Police, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release.

Branton — who was the last individual to have seen his stepdaughter, Katelin Akens — is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery, two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child in a custodial relationship, two counts of indecent exposure of a child, and two counts of child cruelty, WUSA reported.

The charges relate to underage victims, according to authorities.

It was not immediately clear whether Branton, 46, had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

Akens has been missing since December 2015, when she disappeared at age 19, according to the sheriff’s office’s cold case database.

She had been living in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, after growing up in Spotsylvania, Virginia, the sheriff’s office said.

Before her disappearance, she had been in Spotsylvania and was due to board a flight to return to Arizona on December 5, 2015, according to authorities, WUSA reported.

Akens’ mother, Lisa Sullivan, took her to Branton’s home before her flight because he was supposed to drop her off at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Sullivan previously told WUSA.

Sullivan was never seen at the airport, according to the sheriff’s office.

“Her bank accounts were never used again” after that day, the sheriff’s office has said.

Two days later, on December 7, 2015, Akens’ suitcase was abandoned along the side of a road in Spotsylvania, according to authorities, and contained her ID card but was mostly empty.

“It is unknown who put the luggage there or why. As of this date, no one has seen Katelin Akens and no trace of her has showed up on bank accounts, social media or in any other way,” the sheriff’s office said on its cold case database. “Her stepfather was initially cooperative and has since then declined to assist with this investigation.”

Akens was reported missing the day her suitcase was discovered, according to authorities.

The sheriff’s office continues to search for her.

“As we remain committed to locating Katelin and bringing her home to her family, we ask that anyone with information contact us at (800) 928-5822 or (540) 582-5822,” the agency said in its news release.