New Orleans Man Sentenced to 360 Months for Nationwide Sextortion Scheme
Cole Diggs, 32, was sentenced to 360 months in prison on August 27, 2026, after pleading guilty to producing child sexual abuse material, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced on August 28, 2026.
3 reports on this incident · first at Aug 29, 2026, 11:19 a.m. ET
This case is not concluded. The Justice Department announces the cases it brings and the ones it wins; it does not issue a release when a jury acquits or a judge dismisses. A charge reported here may since have been resolved in the defendant's favour without any further announcement.
We last searched for new coverage of this at Aug 29, 2026, 11:38 a.m. ET — checked 2h ago.
Earlier reports
Aug 29, 2026, 11:22 a.m. ET
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 360 Months for Sextortion Scheme Targeting Children
NEW ORLEANS – On August 28, 2026, U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle announced that Cole Diggs, 32, of New Orleans, was sentenced on August 27, 2026, to 360 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Diggs had previously pleaded guilty to producing files depicting the sexual exploitation of children, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a). The court also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, sex offender registration, and restitution to all victims.
According to court documents, between November 2021 and December 2022, Diggs used a multimedia messaging app to target at least six minors, aged seven to fifteen, in a sextortion scheme. He posed as a minor, sent explicit images, directed victims to produce explicit content, and extorted them when they resisted. He also purchased and traded such material.
U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle said the sentence removes a dangerous predator, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp said it should serve as a warning. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Aug 29, 2026, 11:19 a.m. ETFirst report
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 360 Months for Sextortion Scheme Targeting Children
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle announced on August 28, 2026, that Cole Diggs, 32, of New Orleans, was sentenced on August 27, 2026, to 360 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe. Diggs had previously pleaded guilty to producing files depicting the sexual exploitation of children, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a). The court also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, sex offender registration, and restitution to all victims.
According to court documents, between November 2021 and December 2022, Diggs used a multimedia messaging app to obtain sexually explicit images from at least six minors, aged seven to fifteen. He employed a "sextortion" scheme, posing as a minor, sending explicit images, and threatening or extorting the victims to continue producing material. He also purchased and traded such material.
Courcelle said, "Today's sentence removes a dangerous, anti-social predator from our community." FBI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp added, "The sentence imposed today should serve as a warning for anybody who thinks they are going to coerce and abuse children and get away with it." The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis and investigated by the FBI, as part of Project Safe Childhood.
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- Version 129 Aug 2026, 15:22current
First published.
- Version 129 Aug 2026, 15:19current
First published.
- Version 129 Aug 2026, 15:52current
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