Stepfather Charged With Sex Offenses In Katelin Akens' 2015 Disappearance

SPOTSYLVANIA, VA — Detectives have arrested a man on sex offense charges, and authorities believe one of his victims is his stepdaughter, who has been missing for more than a decade, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

James Branton was taken into custody April 10 on charges stemming from an investigation where one of the victims is believed to be Katelin Akens. She vanished under mysterious circumstances in December 2015.

Akens, who was 19 at the time, was last seen on Dec. 5, 2015, when Branton, her stepfather, reportedly dropped her off at the Springfield Town Center. She was expected to walk to the nearby Franconia-Springfield Metro station to catch a flight from Ronald Reagan National Airport to Arizona to visit her fiancé.

Related: Spotsylvania Woman's Disappearance Remains Unsolved After 10 Years

However, Akens never checked in for her flight. Two days later, her luggage — containing her wallet, identification, and plane ticket — was discovered abandoned on River Road in Spotsylvania County.

For years, the case remained cold as investigators faced hurdles including Branton’s refusal to take a polygraph test and difficulties accessing data on an encrypted cell phone. Cell phone records from the time of Akens' disappearance also reportedly contradicted the timeline of events provided to authorities.

"This investigation remains open and active," said Lt. Col. Delbert Myrick in a statement. "We remain committed to locating Katelin and bringing her home to her family."

Branton faces two counts each of child cruelty, indecent exposure of child, custodial indecent liberties and aggravated sexual battery, according to court documents. All of the felony charges stem from an incident that occurred June 1, 2006.

The most serious charge is indecent exposure of child, which is a Class 5 felony. If convicted on these charges, Branton faces a sentence of one to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $2,500, under the Code of Virginia.

The sheriff’s office credited local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for their continued assistance in the decade-long search for answers.

Authorities ask anyone with information about the case or Katelin Akens’ whereabouts to contact the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office at (540) 582-5822 or Crime Solvers at 800-928-5822.

Tips can be submitted anonymously through: www.p3tips.com and Spotsylvaniacrimesolvers.org.