US military cop jailed for grooming 12-year-old British girl

A US-based military cop has been jailed for 15 years for grooming a 12-year-old girl - 7,000 MILES away in the UK.

Christopher Ernest Fox pleaded guilty to cyber-stalking and sexually exploiting the British youngster from all the way in his army barracks in Hawaii.

A lengthy investigation was launched against 21-year-old Fox, instigated by Wiltshire Police and involving the Homeland Security Investigation Department of Hawaii, and the island state's District Attorney.

And his victim, from Trowbridge, Wilts., travelled to Hawaii with her mother to attend court and see Fox being sentenced to 15 years in jail in Hawaii.

The girl first reported to police in 2015 that she had been coerced into sending nude pictures of herself over the internet, after being approached by Fox on Instagram and Snapchat.

A police spokesperson said: "She submitted various items for forensic analysis. "This allowed Special Agent In Charge, Siave Iafeta, to obtain an arrest and search warrant for Fox at his address at Schofield Barracks, Waikiki.

 "Fox was found in possession of the indecent images of the young girl and images of extreme child pornography on his computer devices."

Hawaii News Now reported: "When Fox first met the victim through Instagram and Snapchat, he knew that she was only 12 years old when he began to ask her for sexually explicit photos.

"Fox then used the explicit photos as blackmail for more pictures. If she refused, he threatened to show the photos to her friends and family."

Fox, who was 19 at the time of his arrest, pleaded guilty to all five charges against him, including cyber-stalking and sexual exploitation of a minor.

He was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in jail, with a further ten years of strict sanctions.

He must also pay $10,000 compensation to the victim and her family.

 Sentencing him, Chief U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright said: "Fox's actions were a life-changing, traumatic experience.

"Saying his actions were wrong is a grave understatement.

Det Con Martyn Cole, from Melksham CID, travelled to Hawaii as part of the investigation.

He said: "This was a very unusual case due to the geographic distance between the abuser and his victim.

"However, it proves that we will not let these hurdles dissuade us from pursuing justice.

"With good international working relationships between law enforcement agencies, we will make sure these types of criminals are tracked down and punished.

"I would also like to applaud the bravery of the young victim, who has shown strength and courage beyond her years.

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"We hope this case will encourage others who have been targeted and abused in this way to come forward and report it to the police." - Mirror