New Orleans Man Guilty of Engaging In “Sextortion” Scheme to Produce Sexual Exploitation Depictions of Children as Young as Seven Years Old

NEW ORLEANS –  Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that COLE DIGGS (a/k/a Kevon Godson) (“DIGGS”), age 31, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on August 28, 2025 before United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe to producing files depicting the sexual exploitation of children, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 2251(a).

According to court documents, on numerous instances between November 2021 and December 2022, DIGGS engaged in a scheme to obtain sexually explicit depictions of at least six minors he met via a multimedia instant messaging application that allows users to exchange pictures and videos. The identified victims varied between the ages of seven years old and fifteen years old.  In each case, DIGGS sought, and obtained, the sexually explicit depictions of minors by utilizing a “sextortion” scheme. To implement this scheme, DIGGS claimed to be a minor, sent sexually explicit depictions of adults, engaged in sexually charged communications to these minor victims, directed the minors on how to pose and perform when taking sexually explicit depictions, and, after the minors expressed reluctance to continue sending sexually explicit depictions, DIGGS used extortionate tactics to compel the minors to comply with his demands. Additionally, DIGGS, on multiple occasions, offered to purchase, and did in fact purchase, offered to trade, and did in fact trade, sexually explicit depictions of minors, including some of those he received via his extortionate scheme.

DIGGS faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years, up to a maximum of thirty (30) years.  DIGGS also faces at least five (5) years, and up to a lifetime, of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. DIGGS may also be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing before Judge Ashe has been scheduled for December 4, 2025.