LITTLE ROCK, AR – Codi Vaughan, 25, of Fair Chance, Pennsylvania, will spend the next 17 years in federal prison for a chilling pattern of exploiting children. The sentence, handed down today by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker, comes after Vaughan pleaded guilty to one count of production of child sexual abuse material, but reflects the gravity of a year-long spree of online predation.
The case began to unravel on February 3, 2023, when the Secretary of the Air Force Inspector General tip hotline flagged Vaughan’s disturbing online activity. Investigators quickly learned that Vaughan, employed as a mechanic on Little Rock Air Force Base, was actively seeking child pornography and attempting to coerce minors into producing it. The initial tip came from a minor in Maryland who detailed how Vaughan contacted her through Snapchat, offering payment for explicit images and videos – not just from her, but from her friends as well.
The FBI’s investigation revealed a calculated and repeated effort. Just days later, on February 6, 2023, Vaughan again used Snapchat to target a different minor in Maryland, renewing his offer to pay for self-produced child pornography. Agents determined this wasn’t an isolated incident; Vaughan had been relentlessly contacting minors in Maryland and Virginia via Snapchat since at least January 2022. The persistence of his abuse contributed to a sentencing enhancement. In one particularly egregious instance, Vaughan offered a minor $1,000 to perform sexual acts.
Financial records painted a damning picture. A review of Vaughan’s CashApp history showed numerous payments sent to minors, confirming he wasn’t just making empty promises. He knowingly contacted and paid minors for disturbing content. On June 2, 2023, a federal grand jury in Little Rock indicted Vaughan on five counts of production of child sexual abuse material and three counts of receipt or distribution of such material. He ultimately pleaded guilty to count seven of the indictment on October 16, 2024.
United States Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas announced that Judge Baker sentenced Vaughan to 204 months (17 years) in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Crucially, there is no parole in the federal system, meaning Vaughan will serve the entirety of his sentence. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online and the vigilance required to protect vulnerable children.
The investigation was a joint effort between the U.S. Air Force, Office of Special Investigations, and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant prosecuted the case. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas, visit https://www.justice.gov/edar. Follow them on X (formerly Twitter) at @USAO_EDAR. # # #
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Key Facts
- State: Arkansas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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