Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced this week that his office has added additional charges to a couple previously charged with a host of crimes relating to child pornography based on evidence uncovered during an ongoing investigation that has identified additional alleged victims.
Gerrad Coddington, 25, and Christina Nelson-Coddington, 29, both of Pauls Valley, are now facing first degree rape, incest, child abuse and conspiracy charges in addition to the numerous counts previously filed in late June, which included manufacturing child pornography, lewd acts with a minor and violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act, among others. They are being held on $5 million bonds each.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is pursuing charges against the couple for production of child pornography, which carries a lengthier sentence than state charges for the same crime. While the maximum penalty for manufacturing or distributing child pornography in state court is 20 years in prison, federal law carries a mandatory sentence of 15-to-30 years.
New information uncovered by the investigation and filed in Garvin County alleges that additional underage victims were beaten, handcuffed and raped. According to the information filed yesterday, evidence was also uncovered that Gerrad had conspired to commit incest with his unborn child.
Attorney General Hunter said combining resources with the new U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma Tim Downing’s office makes a stronger overall case.
“Children are among the most vulnerable and defenseless in our society and crimes against them will never be tolerated by my office,” Attorney General Hunter said. “We will also ensure those who commit these types of crimes are held accountable and punished to the full extent of the law. I appreciate U.S. Attorney Downing for partnering with us on this case to ensure justice is served and those who committed these horrific acts are unable to do it again.”
The Attorney General’s Office launched an investigation into the couple after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provided the office a tip containing information that the couple allegedly shared a pornographic image of a minor on a social media website. Agents with the Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and Pauls Valley Police Department investigating the tip were able to develop probable cause to arrest the suspects within three days of receiving the tip.
All defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
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