Spotsylvania County prosecutors announced Monday that a grand jury has indicted James Branton, 46, on 13 new counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. The indictment lists an offense date of April 10, 2026, adding to the serious charges already pending against Branton.
Background of the case
Branton was originally scheduled to go on trial this week for aggravated sexual battery, custodial indecent liberties, and child cruelty stemming from alleged abuse of Katelin Akens and her sister while the family lived with him from 2006 through 2011. Akens, a 19‑year‑old from Spotsylvania County, vanished in 2015 after her mother dropped her off at Branton’s home for a ride to Reagan National Airport. She never boarded the flight or returned home.
In April, Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Mehaffey told a judge that newly uncovered evidence suggested a “potential motive” for Branton to kill Akens, marking the first time prosecutors publicly asserted that Akens is presumed dead. Mehaffey also testified that Akens was afraid of Branton while she was alive.
New indictment and trial schedule
The grand jury’s indictment brings the total number of charges against Branton to a significant level, though he has not been charged with any crime directly related to Akens’ disappearance. The prosecutor declined to disclose details of the new child‑sex‑abuse‑material counts.
Following the indictment, Branton’s previously scheduled trial on the original abuse charges has been postponed. The court expects the trial to be rescheduled for December, giving both the prosecution and defense additional time to prepare.
Defense response
Branton’s defense attorney, John Spencer, told the court that his client has no felony record and has not interacted with any witnesses in the case for the past ten years. Spencer argued that the prosecution’s suggestion that Branton killed Akens is a “stretch,” noting that Branton was the last person known to have seen her but is not currently charged with any crime. He also emphasized that Branton has been cooperative throughout the investigation.
What’s next?
The case remains under active investigation, with the grand jury’s new indictment adding a serious layer of federal‑style child‑exploitation charges. The December trial date will allow the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office to present the new evidence alongside the original abuse allegations. Community members and families affected by the case are watching closely as the legal process moves forward.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
