2 soldiers accused of producing child porn

Two Army sergeants were arrested Tuesday on charges they molested a 3-year-old boy while at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and recorded the activity.

Wade Allen Perkins, 26, and Kimberly Epperson, 24, incorporated the assault of the boy into their sexual activity after they began a romantic relationship in February 2011, according to the criminal complaint.

Agents with the FBI, Bexar County Sheriff's Office and the Army opened an investigation after learning on Aug. 29 of allegations that the boy was being exploited. They arrested the pair separately, charging each with production of child pornography, which carries 30 years in prison.

Epperson told agents she got into the activity at the request of Perkins, who has since married someone else.

Perkins admitted he'd sexually assaulted the boy in August or September 2011 and that he convinced Epperson to produce images of child pornography with the boy. She sent them to him via text messages and e-mail.

The boy — referring to Perkins — told agents that the “sweaty bad man” had hurt him, and has since been placed in protective custody, according to the affidavit.

Perkins was transferred to Fort Hood in November 2011. Before reporting there, he took a trip to his hometown of Dallas, Ore.

While there in December 2011 and January 2012, the affidavit said, he “instructed Epperson what poses and types of sex acts he desired to be produced and sent, and the images/videos graduated to more graphic acts as time progressed.”

Epperson recorded herself performing sex acts on the boy, and sent the images, according to investigators.

Investigators recovered text messages that confirm Perkins' sexual interest in children and the production, distribution and receipt of child pornography, the affidavit said.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Pamela Mathy ordered Perkins and Epperson, of Garland, held without bond pending bail hearings Thursday.