Corderro Cody Indicted for Sex Trafficking, Philadelphia PA, 2023

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Corderro Cody, 27, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, is facing a lifetime behind bars following a federal indictment unsealed today, alleging a callous and violent sex trafficking operation. Cody stands accused of exploiting vulnerable women for profit, turning their lives into a nightmare of forced prostitution and physical abuse.

According to the indictment, Cody ran what he chillingly referred to as the “program,” a prostitution ring advertised on Backpage.com. He allegedly recruited women, then drove them – sometimes across state lines – and forced them to perform sexual acts. The indictment paints a picture of a predator who controlled his victims through fear and violence, retaining nearly all of the money earned from their exploitation.

The charges are severe: conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, along with four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Cody is also accused of conspiracy to transport individuals both intrastate and interstate for the purpose of prostitution. The indictment details a pattern of brutal control, alleging Cody used physical force, including beatings, to ensure compliance with his “program.”

The callousness of Cody’s alleged actions is particularly stark in one instance cited in the indictment. He allegedly physically assaulted a victim when she dared to request permission to return home to her children for the Thanksgiving holiday. This isn’t just about financial exploitation; it’s about stripping these women of their dignity, their agency, and even the basic right to see their families.

If convicted on these charges, Cody faces a maximum possible sentence of lifetime imprisonment, along with a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison. He could also be slapped with a $1.5 million fine, a mandatory minimum of five years of supervised release – potentially extending to a lifetime – and a $600 special assessment. This investigation, led by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Allentown Police Department, sends a clear message: those who profit from human suffering will be held accountable.

Assistant United States Attorney Sherri A. Stephan is prosecuting the case. It’s crucial to remember that an Indictment is merely an accusation, and Corderro Cody is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the allegations outlined in the indictment are deeply disturbing and demand justice for the victims reportedly caught in Cody’s web of exploitation. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments.