An Antelope Valley man has been convicted in absentia for creating and receiving explicit images of a teenage girl whom he had persuaded to engage in illegal sexual activities, as revealed by the Justice Department. Gregory Cole Jr., from Lancaster, was found guilty of multiple offenses including the production of child pornography, the enticement of a minor to engage in criminal activity, and receiving child pornography.
Cole, aged 30, evaded the ongoing trial by removing his ankle monitor and failing to appear in court sessions. Consequently, United States District Judge Percy Anderson has issued a bench warrant against him and canceled his bond.
During the three-day trial, evidence indicated that in March and April 2024, Cole convinced a 16-year-old girl to send him explicit pictures through Instagram messages. Investigators uncovered that Cole pressured the victim to create and send him child sexual abuse material (CSAM). He also shared pornography featuring adult women posing in ways he wanted the victim to replicate for his benefit. After the victim's mother discovered these communications, Cole deleted his Instagram account.
Cole now faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and could receive a life sentence in federal prison.
The FBI conducted the investigation leading to these charges. The case is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J’me K. Forrest and Derek R. Flores from the Violent and Organized Crime Section.