On November 13, 2024, Willard Verdell Cowan, a 61-year-old man from Coos Bay, Oregon, was sentenced to 300 months (25 years) in federal prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for sexually exploiting a minor.

Beginning in early 2021, Cowan preyed on a minor who often suffered from panic attacks. He exploited the victim's vulnerability by providing alcohol and marijuana before sexually assaulting the victim. Cowan continued to sexually abuse the victim, at times recording the abuse and soliciting sexually explicit images from the minor. This abuse persisted until his arrest in March 2023.

On February 16, 2023, a federal grand jury in Eugene, Oregon, returned a two-count indictment charging Cowan with sexually exploiting a child and distributing child pornography. Cowan pled guilty to sexually exploiting a child on August 21, 2024.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Coos County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Jeffrey S. Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, in coordination with the Coos County District Attorney's Office.

Commentary

According to the above source, the victim suffered from panic attacks. The perpetrator took advantage of the victim's vulnerability and provided alcohol and marijuana to the victim before sexually assaulting the victim.

Alcohol and marijuana can significantly lower boundaries and increase the risk of child exploitation because of their effects on the brain and behavior.

Here are some key points explaining how these substances contribute to this risk, starting with alcohol.

• Alcohol consumption can impair judgment and decision-making abilities. This means that individuals under the influence of alcohol are less likely to recognize risky situations or make safe choices.
• Alcohol lowers inhibitions, making individuals more likely to engage in behaviors they would normally avoid. This can include inappropriate or risky sexual behavior.
• Heavy drinking can lead to memory blackouts, where individuals cannot recall events that occurred while they were intoxicated. This can make it difficult for victims to remember and report instances of exploitation.

Likewise, marijuana use can also increase the risk of sexual exploitation:

• Marijuana affects the brain's perception of reality, which can distort an individual's sense of time, space, and self. This altered perception can make it easier for predators to manipulate and exploit victims.
• Marijuana can induce feelings of relaxation and euphoria, which may lower a person's guard and make them more susceptible to exploitation.
• Marijuana use can impair cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and learning. This can hinder a victim's ability to recognize and respond to dangerous situations.

The final takeaway is that child safe environments must prohibit the use of alcohol and marijuana when around children, and adults should never make either available to children, no matter the circumstances.

Sources: https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/coos-bay-man-sentenced-25-years-federal-prison-sexually-exploiting-minor and https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/the-link-between-child-abuse-and-substance-abuse