James Robert Branton pled not guilty to eight counts of sexually-related crimes against minors in Spotsylvania Circuit Court on Tuesday morning.
Judge Ricardo Rigual held Branton without bond, deciding he would remain in custody through his trial, which is scheduled to begin on July 24th.
The former step-father of missing Spotsylvania teen Katelin Akens was physically present in court on Tuesday when Spotsylvania Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Mehaffey laid out the evidence in the forthcoming case against him.
According to court records, Branton is accused of “molestation” by way of a form of naked spanking.
Victim complaints (including those from Katelin Akens) allege that Branton instituted a form of naked spanking as punishment, claiming that he was also nude during these instances and would let his hand linger on the victim’s buttox for a period of time. This treatment was used for “small infractions” and allegedly occurred in the middle of the night while the victims’ mother was at work, according to court records.
According to Mehaffey, Akens recognized the abuse and reported Branton’s behavior to a neighbor sometime between 2006 and 2011, which spurred an investigation by Spotsylvania Child Protective Services. Court documents state that there is no longer any record of that report at CPS.
Mehaffey stated that these allegations serve as “potential motive” for Branton to have harmed Akens further.
Why these charges and why now?
Mehaffey explained that a younger family member who alleges that they suffered similar treatment from Branton during the same time as Akens came forward after she “recognized the abuse.”
Mehaffey stated that Branton left a government job before it required a security clearance renewal, which he says would have subjected Branton to a thorough background investigation. Mehaffey said that Branton then worked as a night delivery driver for Spark across several platforms.
Notes discovered near Branton’s computer and vehicle upon his arrest were also entered into evidence on Tuesday. Mehaffey stated that several of those “post-its” included the following statements:
“Big boobs small kids”
“Two small kids large breasts”
“Isolated rich peoples’ houses in woods”
“Blond two small daughters”
Police also recovered a number of notes Branton is alleged to have made about homes he made in reference to deliveries to in the “greater Fredericksburg area,” according to Mehaffey.
Mehaffey said that at least one homeowner claims he witnessed Branton parked nearby their residence. That individual says that when he approached Branton, Branton sped away from the scene, according to Mehaffey.
A professional lock-pick set, cash, a passport and firearm were also recovered upon Branton’s arrest, Mehaffey stated.
In summary, Mehaffey emphasized Aken’s contemporaneous allegations of abuse, the first hand accounts provided to law enforcement and Branton’s suspicious behavior at the same time of night as the aforementioned claims as reasoning for Branton to remain in custody.
For Branton, defense attorney John Spencer stated that his client is the “lowest level” of flight risk.
Spencer stated that at the time of his arrest, Branton was not under any court supervision nor had any charges pending. The case against Branton doesn’t include fraud, theft or drugs, Spencer said, and the defendant had no prior criminal history or instances of failing to appear in court.
According to Spencer, Branton was not aroused at the time of the alleged naked spanking and that a 2009 CPS investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by any party. Spencer also pointed out that Mehaffey neglected to mention that Branton’s mother was also living in the home during the time of the alleged abuse.
Spencer stated that if the 15 year-old allegations against Branton were true, Aken’s mother would have left or notified the police.
Spencer also caste doubt on the notes discovered in Branton’s possession, calling them similar to the “stupid stuff” he writes to himself during trials and case work. Spencer stated that as a lifelong Spotsylvania resident, Branton would be amenable to house arrest or court-ordered monitoring.
Judge Rigual ruled in favor of remanding Branton into custody.
Branton’s trial by jury is scheduled to begin on Friday, July 24th. According to Spencer, it’s possible that the defense may waive the right to a trial by jury in favor of a bench trial before then.
