Tallahassee Predator Austin Coates Sentenced to 20 Years for Child Exploitation

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Austin Marko Coates, a 27-year-old from Tallahassee, was handed a 20-year federal prison sentence for sexual exploitation of children and distribution of child pornography. The sentence was imposed by John P. Heekin, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

‘Our children’s safety is paramount, and today’s sentencing reflects our dedication to protecting them from predators like Coates,’ stated U.S. Attorney Heekin. ‘This severe penalty serves as a stark warning against anyone who seeks to harm the most vulnerable among us.’

The investigation into Coates began in January 2025 when HSI and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office received an alert from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Agents secured search warrants and discovered that Coates had been sending child pornography to minors as young as 13, demanding they produce explicit content for him.

‘Coates’ actions are a chilling example of how social media can be used as a weapon against innocent children,’ said Nicholas Ingegno, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee. ‘The evidence we uncovered is a painful testament to the suffering these young victims endured.’

Coates will serve his sentence followed by lifetime supervised release and mandatory sex offender registration. He has also been ordered to pay restitution to his victims. The joint investigation was conducted by HSI, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with legal representation by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide effort to combat child exploitation and abuse. For more information on this initiative, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.