Cody L. Prater, Child Pornography, Ohio 2024

A previously convicted sex offender in Ohio has been indicted for allegedly committing heinous child pornography and obscenity crimes. Cody L. Prater, 27, of McArthur, Ohio, is charged with receiving and possessing child pornography and obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse. He is also charged with transporting obscene matters.

According to the indictment, between August 2023 and July 2024, Prater allegedly committed numerous child pornography and obscenity crimes. He also allegedly attempted to hide his various crimes by using a computer operating system that leaves no traces of internet activity on the digital devices it is connected too.

Prater allegedly received child pornography depicting children as young as infants and toddlers that included sadistic and masochistic abuse. It is also alleged that Prater received digital files of computer-generated minors engaged in bestiality and sex acts with adults and subjected to sadistic and masochistic abuse. Prater also allegedly possessed online visual depictions of child mutilation and torture.

If convicted as charged, Prater could face up to 40 years in prison. The charges were announced by Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Tyler Aagard are representing the United States in this case.

Prater is currently at large. An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The indictment highlights the growing concern of child pornography and obscenity crimes in the digital age. Law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to track down and prosecute those who commit these heinous crimes.

Prater’s alleged crimes are a stark reminder of the importance of online safety and the need for vigilance in protecting our children from exploitation.

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