ST. LOUIS, MO – Kody L. Willyard, a 32-year-old man from Barnhart, Missouri, is facing 15 years in prison after admitting to coercing a 14 and 15-year-old minor into engaging in sexual acts in exchange for vapes, booze, and other items of value.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Willyard pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one felony count of coercion and enticement of a minor. The crime carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years, with both Willyard’s lawyer and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson recommending the maximum sentence of 15 years.
The investigation into Willyard’s crimes began after the victim’s father discovered evidence of Willyard’s abuse through the victim’s social media and digital communications. The victim subsequently revealed to authorities that Willyard had also provided items of value to another girl in exchange for sexual acts.
Willyard’s crimes are a stark reminder of the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, aims to combat this issue by marshaling federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet.
The FBI, the St. Louis County Police Department Special Investigations Unit, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson prosecuting the case. Willyard’s sentencing is scheduled for September.
As part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, the Department of Justice is working to identify and rescue victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about the initiative, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The harsh sentence handed down to Willyard serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit and harm children. The Grimy Times will continue to report on cases like Willyard’s, shedding light on the devastating impact of sex crimes on victims and their families.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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