NORFOLK, Va. – A Chesapeake man was sentenced today to 29 years in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor, a crime that left a young girl traumatized and vulnerable.
According to court documents, Christopher Digges, 41, befriended an economically vulnerable woman in 2020 and moved in with her and her child in 2021 after offering to help them by paying rent. However, Digges’ intentions were far from altruistic. He repeatedly engaged in sexual conduct with the child, directing her to perform sexual acts to produce Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
Digges’ abuse continued until 2023, when he was 14 years old. In July 2023, the mother provided information to law enforcement that Digges had engaged in sexually explicit conduct with the child and had produced and received CSAM. The child suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Digges, who also struck her and threatened to take away her possessions if she didn’t comply with his demands.
The government recovered $169,462.62 from the sale of the Chesapeake residence that Digges bought on October 18, 2021, and moved the mother and child into.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber and Mark G. Solesky, Chief of Chesapeake Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Clayton D. LaForge and Kevin P. Hudson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
As a result of Digges’ actions, the young girl will have to live with the trauma of being exploited and abused by someone she trusted. The 29-year prison sentence is a stark reminder that those who prey on vulnerable children will face the full force of the law.
Related Federal Cases
- Monis Irfan, Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, Virginia 2019 · Virginia
- John Francis Aragon, Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, VA 2024 · Texas
- Windell Holton, Attempted Enticement of a Minor, FL 2016 · Alabama
- Julio Perez-Torres, Attempted Coercion and Enticement, VA 2024 · Tennessee
- Logan Viquesney, Interstate Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, Virginia 2016 · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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