Lynn Edward Stokes, a 46-year-old resident of Yukon, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for producing child pornography. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
The legal proceedings began on April 16, 2024, when a federal Grand Jury indicted Stokes on three counts: production, receipt, and possession of child pornography. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a search warrant at Stokes's residence on March 6, 2024. They identified him as a suspect in a group chat where child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was exchanged. During the investigation, it was discovered that Stokes had sexually abused and exploited a minor to produce CSAM.
Stokes pleaded guilty to one count of the indictment on August 9, 2024. He admitted to persuading a minor to create CSAM and send it to his phone.
U.S. District Judge David L. Russell handed down the sentence of 300 months in federal prison followed by supervised release for life. Judge Russell emphasized the severity of Stokes's actions and the necessity of a lengthy sentence to mitigate the threat he poses.
U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester stated, "The repulsive actions of this predator to sexually exploit children cannot and will not be tolerated." He added that the sentence serves as a deterrent against victimizing children and commended investigators and prosecutors for their dedication.
Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard from HSI highlighted the collaborative efforts leading to Stokes's arrest: "Due to the collaborative efforts of the special agents and law enforcement partners of the Tornado Alley Child Exploitation Task Force, this defendant will spend the next 25 years behind bars right where he belongs."
The case was investigated by HSI in collaboration with the Yukon Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ganz. It is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated efforts across various levels of law enforcement.
For more information about PSC, visit www.justice.gov/psc.