United States of America v. Kasey Lynn Skaggs

Knoxville, Tennessee, criminal defense lawyer represented the defendant charged with interstate travel for the purpose of engaging in sexual contact with a minor and tampering with a victim to destroy evidence.

By Kent Morlan

Kasey Lynn Skaggs, 27, of Jacksonville, Florida, was indicted on two counts in the indictment charging her with one count of interstate travel for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(b); and one count of tampering with a victim to destroy evidence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(2)(B).

Investigators with the Homeland Security Investigations-Internet Crimes Against Children (HSI-ICAC) Task Force and local law enforcement investigated a report of child sexual abuse in 2024. Investigators found that from December 2023 to February 2024, Skaggs, along with co-defendant and husband, Jeffrey Lee Robertson, traveled across state lines on three different occasions into the Eastern District of Tennessee to have sex with a 14-year-old female. On the victim’s phone, investigators located text and social media messages between the two defendants, enticing and talking to the minor about illicit sexual acts they would do together. Further evidence was found of the two defendants instructing the victim to destroy evidence of their communication when they believed they had been caught.

U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.

The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by HSI-ICAC, 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General and Lenoir City Police Department.

This investigation was led by HSI-ICAC Task Force Officer Cortney Dugger.

Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Kolman represented the United States.

The Defendant pled guilty and was sentenced to 63 Months Imprisonment as to each of counts 2 and 5 to be served concurrently followed by 15 years Supervised Release. $200 Special Assessment and $3,500 Restitution.