LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A former Airman assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, was sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison following an investigation led by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 327.
On Aug. 28, the Department of Justice announced Codi Vaughan, a former airman first class, was sentenced 204 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release for producing child sexual abuse material.
The investigation began Feb. 6, 2023, when Special Agents initiated a case after learning Vaughan, then assigned to the 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, attempted to solicit illicit material from a minor through social media.
Witnesses informed investigators that he had been contacting minors online, offering money and gifts in exchange for illegal images. Between February and March 2023, Special Agents interviewed multiple minor witnesses who corroborated the allegations.
According to investigators, a review of Vaughan’s online communications and financial transactions revealed 24 separate conversations in which he attempted to entice minors to produce illicit material.
On May 12, 2023, AFOSI executed a federal arrest warrant, taking Vaughan into custody before transferring him to the U.S. Marshals Service. A federal grand jury later indicted him on multiple counts related to the production, receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Vaughan pleaded guilty in Oct. 2024 to one count of the federal indictment. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Our detachment worked closely with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring this case to a successful conclusion,” said Special Agent Shantell Ward, AFOSI Det. 327 commander. “These partnerships are critical to protecting our community and holding offenders accountable.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Bryant of the Eastern District of Arkansas.