Cops: Man We Monitored Held Girl Captive for Months

Cody Jackson to face rape, kidnapping charges
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 16, 2015 9:53 AM CDT
Cops: Man We Monitored Held Girl Captive for Months
This undated photo provided by the Salt Lake County Jail shows Cody Jackson.   (Salt Lake County Jail via AP)

The advantage of an electronic monitoring bracelet is that authorities can track a suspect's whereabouts. The downside: They can have no idea that a suspect might be holding a girl captive in his home while wearing it. That was allegedly the case in Norwood, Ohio: Cody Jackson, described as age 19 or 20, was charged with crimes relating to the abduction of two women last August, paid a $100,000 bond, and was placed on electronic monitoring, reports the Cincinnati Enquirer. While he awaited court action, police say he got in touch with a 14-year-old girl on Facebook and arranged for a taxi to bring her to his apartment roughly every other day for three weeks in February so they could have sex. He soon took control of her social media accounts and gave her a strict set of rules to follow, according to the FBI. Then, after a visit in March, he wouldn't let her leave, police say.

For the next several months—including after the girl became pregnant—Jackson verbally and physically abused her; told her not to refuse sex; dictated when she used the bathroom, showered, ate, and contacted family members; and banned her from singing any song performed by a man, reports Deseret News. The 20-year-old mother of Jackson's child also came to live with the pair and was abused, police say. She and the 14-year-old escaped in early August after Jackson pleaded guilty to interference of custody—other charges against him were dropped—was taken off electronic monitoring, and fled the state. But even then, Jackson over Facebook threatened to kill the girl and her family if she didn't send him nude photos, authorities say. It isn't clear when she went to police. Jackson was arrested in Utah on Oct. 8 and will be return to Ohio to face a slew of federal and local charges. (More Ohio stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X