MA Man Admits To Attempted Child Sex Charges In RI

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Massachusetts man admitted to attempting to have sex with a minor in Rhode Island, the Department of Justice said.

Cody Hansen, 38, pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of attempted enticement of a minor, attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct in U.S. District Court.

Hansen, a resident of Orange, Massachusetts, admitted to posting an online advertisement looking for "someone that likes to play when the girl is passed out." In May 2018, he connected with a person he believed to be the father of two girls, aged 12 and 8, who livid in Rhode Island. The "father" gave Hansen an email address to contact the older girl. The man was actually an undercover Rhode Island State Police officer, U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha's office said.

Hansen went on to exchange messages with whom he believed was the 12-year-old. The messages became sexually graphic, including a photo of his genitalia, Hansen admitted in court. He arranged to come to Rhode Island May 21, 2018, to have sex with the girl and her younger sister.

That day, Hansen spoke on the phone with the police detective and confirmed that he was coming to Rhode Island.

When he arrived at the agreed-upon location, he parked next to the officer's car and got into the passenger seat. Talking to the undercover officer, he confirmed that he knew the ages of the children he was going to have sex with, and was immediately arrested.

Hansen has been in prison since his arrest. He is set to be sentenced in March, and faces between 10 years to life in prison for the enticement charge, up to 10 years for the obscene material charge and up to 30 years for traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct.