Albion Man Sentenced To 240 Years In Prison For Sexually Exploiting Children

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Jeffrey Duane Cox, 44, of Albion, Michigan was sentenced to 240 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr. announced today. In addition to the prison term, Chief U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker ordered Cox to pay $4,916 in restitution. Cox must also register as a sex offender, and, if he is ever released from prison, he will be subject to a lifetime term of supervised release.

          Earlier this year, a jury convicted Cox of seven counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and two counts of Possession of Child Pornography, after hearing testimony and reviewing evidence during a six-day trial. The evidence presented at trial showed that Cox sexually abused and exploited seven children during 2012, 2013, and 2014. He lured the children into his home, convinced them to trust him, and then sexually abused and exploited them. Cox photographed and videotaped the children engaged in sexually explicit conduct in his home, personally taking photographs and setting up video cameras to record the exploitation, and sometimes using another person to take the photographs. Cox stored the images and video on multiple devices in his home in Albion.

          In its sentencing memorandum, the U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that the seriousness of Cox’s crimes could not be overstated. "Children are amongst the most vulnerable of victims, and the children in this case were particularly vulnerable to the defendant for a host of reasons." These children "will bear the emotional and psychological scars from his abuse their entire lives." The sentencing memorandum further noted that Cox remains unrepentant and will continue to pose a risk to children unless he remains incarcerated.

          This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney's Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

          This case was investigated by a consortium of law enforcement agencies and departments, including the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Albion Department of Public Safety, Emmett Township Department of Public Safety, Battle Creek Police Department, and Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Lewis prosecuted the case.

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