A local man has admitted to taking explicit photographs of a child while boating on Ashley Lake in Flathead County.
Edward Timothy Cockerham, 43, of Kalispell, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to 30 years in prison, along with a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release.
The crime allegedly took place on June 24, when Cockerham took the victim, identified as Jane Doe 1, boating. While on the water, Cockerham touched and took sexually explicit pictures of Jane Doe 1. The victim reported Cockerham’s actions, and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office seized Cockerham’s cell phone, which contained deleted images of the victim.
Cockerham was detained pending further proceedings. Sentencing is set for January 27, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen.
The case was investigated by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is prosecuting the case.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, launched in 2006 to combat technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
