TULSA, Okla. – After deliberating for less than two hours, a jury found Adam Joseph King, a 35-year-old man from Pryor, guilty on charges of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under 12 and Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor Under 12 in Indian Country. The verdict comes after a trial where damning evidence was presented against King, who committed the crimes against a child who is a member of the Cherokee Nation.
U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson spoke on the outcome, emphasizing the bravery of the young victim and the importance of cooperation between various law enforcement agencies in ensuring justice. Johnson highlighted the role of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a Department of Justice undertaking aimed at protecting children from exploitation and abuse.
Jason Kaplan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, described the emotional weight of such cases and the significant impact of the interagency collaboration that led to King’s conviction. Kaplan thanked the Catoose Police Department for their partnership, which helped bring King to justice.
The court heard how King started abusing the minor in November 2017 after reunitiating a relationship with his ex-girlfriend, the mother of the victim. Prosecutors detailed how the abuse began shortly after the girlfriend and her eight-year-old daughter moved into King’s home. It was during the periods when the mother was at work that King exploited the opportunity to abuse her daughter.
During the trial, the young victim courageously recounted the sexual abuse to the jury, while additional testimony from experts affirmed that the DNA evidence collected from King’s bedroom was a match for the victim.
Despite both King and his girlfriend initially denying any wrongdoing, the investigation led to the child being taken from the mother’s care and placed with her grandparents, ensuring her immediate safety from further harm.
As King awaits sentencing, he remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service. The court will determine his sentencing at a forthcoming hearing.
The rigorous investigation that supported the case was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, the Catoosa Police Department, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Valeria Luster and Matthew Cyran took the lead in prosecuting the case.
The prosecutorial efforts are part of a broader federal initiative, Project Safe Childhood, launched by the Department of Justice in 2006. This nationwide initiative aims to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse by integrating federal, state, and local resources. The initiative also focuses on arresting perpetrators and ensuring support and rescue for victims. More information on this initiative and internet safety education can be found on the Justice Department’s website under Project Safe Childhood.