U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester | U.S. Department of Justice
Lynn Edward Stokes, a 46-year-old resident of Yukon, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for producing child pornography. This decision was announced by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Stokes was indicted on April 16, 2024, by a federal Grand Jury on charges including production, receipt, and possession of child pornography. The investigation began when Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) identified Stokes as a suspected collector of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through his participation in an online group chat where such materials were exchanged. A search warrant executed at his home led to the discovery that Stokes had sexually abused and exploited a minor to produce CSAM.
On August 9, 2024, Stokes pleaded guilty to persuading a minor to create CSAM and send it to his phone. He admitted guilt for Count 1 of the indictment.
U.S. District Judge David L. Russell sentenced Stokes to 300 months in prison with lifetime supervised release following incarceration. Judge Russell emphasized the severity of Stokes's actions and highlighted the necessity of a lengthy sentence to mitigate any further threat he poses.
"The repulsive actions of this predator to sexually exploit children cannot and will not be tolerated," stated U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. "The lengthy sentence imposed in this case sends a clear message to deter others from victimizing children."
Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard expressed HSI's commitment to using forensic and investigative expertise against those who exploit vulnerable individuals: "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 investigation involved both HSI and the Yukon Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ganz prosecuting the case. It was part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through collaboration among federal, state, and local resources.
Further details can be found in public filings related to this case.