HARRISBURG, PA – James Cody Duncan, 37, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, will spend over a decade in federal prison after being sentenced to 130 months’ imprisonment for a depraved act committed against a child in Pennsylvania. U.S. District Judge Keli M. Neary handed down the sentence today, along with an additional ten years of supervised release following Duncan’s prison term. The sentence reflects the gravity of Duncan’s actions and sends a clear message that such predatory behavior will not be tolerated.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Duncan pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor on November 13, 2024. The investigation revealed a calculated scheme beginning in August 2022, where Duncan initiated online communication with a 13-year-old girl residing in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Duncan didn’t stop at digital contact; he actively cultivated a relationship by showering the girl with gifts – including multiple cellphones – specifically to maintain and escalate communication.
The grooming escalated to a horrifying reality in April 2023. Duncan traveled to Pennsylvania and met with the minor, ultimately engaging in sexual activity with her in a local hotel. This wasn’t a fleeting encounter; it was the culmination of months of manipulation and abuse, preying on a vulnerable child. The details of the encounter are disturbing and underscore the damage inflicted upon the victim.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents and the Pennsylvania State Police meticulously investigated the case, piecing together the digital footprint and ultimately bringing Duncan to justice. Assistant United States Attorney Christian T. Haugsby spearheaded the prosecution, ensuring that the evidence was presented effectively and that Duncan was held accountable for his crimes. This collaborative effort demonstrates the power of interagency cooperation in tackling complex and heinous offenses.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice. The program aims to combat the escalating epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse by pooling federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute offenders, as well as to rescue victims. Project Safe Childhood represents a crucial commitment to protecting our most vulnerable citizens. More information about the initiative can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Duncan’s sentence serves as a stark reminder of the dangers children face in the digital age. Grimy Times will continue to report on cases like these, holding predators accountable and shedding light on the dark underbelly of exploitation. The victim deserves justice, and this sentencing, while not erasing the trauma, is a significant step towards achieving it. The public is encouraged to report any suspected child exploitation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children or local law enforcement.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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