Berea Man Indicted For Child Pornography

BEREA, OH — A Berea man faces charges in federal court accusing him of coercing children into sending him sexually explicit images, the Department of Justice announced.

Cody Swinnerton, 24, was indicted on three counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

“This case demonstrates how predators will target our children over social media,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Parents and trusted adults need to make it their business to know who their kids are communicating with. We will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to prosecute these predators.”

Between 2013 and 2018, Swinnerton used multiple Facebook and Instagram accounts to contact children (between the ages of 12 and 15), the indictment said. The indictment added that he threatened the children to get them to produce sexually explicit images. He would then contact the children's family and friends to coerce the children into sending more sexually explicit images, the DOJ said.

"Swinnerton groomed and gained the trust of these young boys, then turned against them for his own gratification," said David Frattare, Ohio ICAC commander. "Victims often get caught up in this vicious cycle and feel they have no option but to comply."

The Department of Justice said they have identified Swinnerton's potential victims in Ohio, Tennessee, Iowa, Texas, Australia, Austria and France.

“This case is a disturbing reminder that international borders are no longer a hindrance for online predators,” said Steve Francis, special agent in charge of HSI for Michigan and Ohio. “However, this arrest should assure victims around the world that Homeland Security Investigations and our partners in the international law enforcement community are committed to aggressively targeting those engaged in these heinous acts.”

A tipster told the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that Swinnerton may be coercing minors into sexually explicit conversations, the DOJ said. A search warrant was executed at the 24-year-old's Berea home on January 25.

Swinnerton wasn't home when law enforcement searched his house. Relatives said he was on a trip to Australia at the time.

Investigators found several images of child pornography on Swinnerton's computer, the indictment said.