Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Exploiting 13-year-old Danville Girl

Kenneth Melvin Doss coerced the minor to send explicit images and videos

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:58pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked smartphone screen reflecting a faint blue light, conceptually representing the digital exploitation of a minor.The harsh reality of online child exploitation is exposed through the shattered remains of a digital device used to prey on a vulnerable minor.Danville Today

Kenneth Melvin Doss, a 31-year-old man from Huntsville, Alabama, has pled guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Doss used Facebook Messenger to convince his 13-year-old relative in Danville, Virginia to send him sexually explicit images and video of herself. When the victim hesitated, Doss told her they could keep it a secret and delete the chats. Doss also sent the victim videos of himself masturbating and described the sex acts they could engage in if they met up.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing threat of online child exploitation and the importance of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to protect children from abuse. It also underscores the need for continued education and vigilance among parents, law enforcement, and the community to identify and stop these predatory behaviors.

The details

According to court records, in July 2025, Doss used Facebook Messenger to convince his 13-year-old relative in Danville to send him sexually explicit images and video of herself. When the minor victim hesitated, saying Doss was her cousin, Doss responded it could be their secret, and they could delete the chats. Doss also sent videos of himself masturbating to the minor victim, and he described the sex acts they could engage in if they met up in person.

  • In July 2025, Doss contacted the 13-year-old victim on Facebook Messenger.

The players

Kenneth Melvin Doss

A 31-year-old man from Huntsville, Alabama who pled guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

Robert N. Tracci

First Assistant United States Attorney who announced the case.

Ian Kaufmann

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Richmond Division who announced the case.

Drew Inman

Assistant United States Attorney who is prosecuting the case.

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What they’re saying

“This case highlights the ongoing threat of online child exploitation and the importance of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to protect children from abuse.”

— Robert N. Tracci, First Assistant United States Attorney

What’s next

Doss will be sentenced at a later date for his crime.

The takeaway

This case serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to protect children from online predators and the continued importance of initiatives like Project Safe Childhood in combating child exploitation.