Hoosier State Today

Dustin Scott Cox, 54, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Cox pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child.

Court documents reveal that between February and September 2020, Cox conspired with Zachary Nichols to sexually abuse and produce sexual images of a fifteen-year-old child. This is not Cox's first offense; he was convicted in 2004 for coercing a 14-year-old to perform sex acts in exchange for a bicycle.

In 2020, Cox served as Nichols' methamphetamine dealer. Nichols had been sexually abusing the child victim for years and allowed Cox to do the same in exchange for drugs. The two recorded their abuse on multiple occasions. Some footage showed the victim nearly incapacitated due to drug use.

In June 2024, Zachary Nichols received a sentence of 42 years in federal prison for his role in the crimes.

“These heinous predators repeatedly sexually abused a child, incapacitated them with meth, and traded the victim’s body for drugs,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our hearts go out to the survivor of these horrific abuses, and we hope this prosecution brings them some measure of peace. The lifelong trauma inflicted by these sick criminals merits federal prison sentences that will ensure that neither of them ever harms another child.”

FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton commented on the case: “Every child deserves to live and thrive in a safe environment without worry of harm and abuse. This sentence reflects the severity of this heinous offense and should put others on notice that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable those who prey on our children.”

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II imposed the sentence on Cox, who has also been ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim and maintain his sex offender status upon release.

U.S. Attorney Myers extended gratitude toward Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston for prosecuting this case.

This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local resources.