A former Ann Arbor resident will spend 19 years in federal prison after investigators uncovered sexually graphic conversations with multiple children and requests for nude images. The case began with a parent’s report about a Discord exchange and expanded into a broader investigation involving children ages 10 to 16.
Cody Brian Pavasco, 32, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography, according to ClickOnDetroit. A fourth charge alleging coercion and enticement of a minor was dismissed as part of the case.
The investigation started after a Texas mother reported finding sexually graphic messages and images on her young daughter’s phone. Search warrants for Discord subscriber information and internet records linked the account to Pavasco, whose billing information pointed to Ann Arbor and whose account was also accessed from an apartment in Ypsilanti.
Investigators found additional chats from March through October 2023 involving children between 10 and 16 years old. In one exchange, authorities said Pavasco asked for nude photos after a child told him she was younger than 16.
The Sentence Comes Amid Recent Southeast Michigan Cases
Pavasco’s 225-month sentence is the latest major federal child-exploitation case tied to the region. On July 17, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced that a Ypsilanti man received 10 years in prison after distributing thousands of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material.
Federal prosecutors also announced in June that a New Boston man pleaded guilty to trying to blackmail a child into providing more nude images, according to the Eastern District of Michigan. The cases involve different conduct, but each shows how online accounts, chat platforms and digital evidence can become central to investigations into the exploitation of children.
225 Months Behind Bars, Then Supervised Release
Pavasco’s sentence equals 18 years and nine months, commonly described as 19 years. After leaving prison, he will serve 10 years of supervised release, according to court records in the federal case.
The sentence closes the criminal case against Pavasco, but the underlying investigation began with a single report from a parent who checked a child’s device. Authorities have repeatedly urged families to report suspicious online contact rather than wait until they have every detail or a confirmed identity.
