A Yukon man has been sentenced to a 25-year term in federal prison for producing child pornography. Lynn Edward Stokes, 46, was indicted on three charges by a federal grand jury earlier this year and pleaded guilty to one count in August. The United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Oklahoma announced the sentencing on Wednesday, detailing that Stokes admitted to coercing a minor into producing sexually explicit material.
Agents with Homeland Security Investigations initially identified Stokes as a suspect following a March 6 operation where a search warrant was executed at his residence. An examination of his electronic devices revealed his involvement in a group chat where child sexual abuse material was exchanged. According to the United States Attorney's Office, Stokes was found to have sexually abused and exploited an minor to produce child sexual abuse material.
U.S. District Judge David L. Russell handed down the sentence, citing the "egregious nature" of Stokes's conduct. Following his 300-month imprisonment, Stokes will be under supervised release for the remainder of his life. U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester stressed the importance of the sentence as a deterrent, stating, "The repulsive actions of this predator to sexually exploit children cannot and will not be tolerated." Troester added that the case should serve as a strong message to others contemplating such crimes, as mentioned by the United States Attorney's Office.
The arrest and subsequent conviction of Stokes was a collaborative effort involving Homeland Security Investigations and the Yukon Police Department, under the umbrella of the Tornado Alley Child Exploitation Task Force. Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard emphasized Homeland Security Investigations commitment to using their "forensic and investigative expertise to apprehend criminals who exploit the most vulnerable members of society," as per the United States Attorney's Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse by marshaling federal, state, and local resources. For more information about the Department of Justice efforts and resources dedicated to Project Safe Childhood, the public can visit the United States Attorney's Office official website.
