An airman from Eielson Air Force Base has been sentenced to five years in prison for possessing child pornography. Kyle Cozens, 32, will also serve 15 years on supervised release following his prison term. He is required to register as a sex offender after his release.
The case began on November 7, 2023, when Cozens was interviewed by the FBI regarding a related investigation from Illinois involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM). During the interview, agents reviewed messages on Cozens' phone and found images of a known victim. A search warrant allowed further examination of his phone, revealing communications with individuals on messaging apps where he purchased CSAM images. The investigation uncovered multiple images and videos depicting prepubescent females.
On March 1, 2024, law enforcement searched Cozens' residence and seized over 30 electronic devices. Authorities identified more than 80 videos and over 680 images depicting child sexual abuse on these devices.
Cozens pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography on November 15, 2024. In addition to his sentence, he must register as a sex offender upon release.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn R. Vogel stated: "The widespread dissemination of images of children forced to endure sexual abuse is a horrific crime that law enforcement fights every day. Mr. Cozens contributed to the revictimization of those children by paying for visuals of child sexual abuse."
Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day commented: "The defendant purchased and possessed large amounts of CSAM, directly contributing to online child exploitation and the re-victimization of young children."
Special Agent Tyler Pierson emphasized the importance of interagency partnerships in fighting child exploitation: “Interagency partnerships, like the ones utilized in this case, are vital to fighting child exploitation.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Anchorage Field Office, Fairbanks Resident Agency, and U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations with help from the FBI Springfield Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Vosacek prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.