A Durango man who was arrested on suspicion of aggravated incest and pleaded guilty to two counts of assault was sentenced last week to 180 days in jail and sex offender intensive probation for 10 years to life.
Cody Coley, 43, was arrested in January after his victims reported instances of sexual assault that occurred sometime around March 2018.
The victims told law enforcement that Coley had them perform sexual acts on him as children, under a pretense the activity was “educational.”
In a previous court hearing, prosecutors said Coley engaged in a pattern of emotional and sexual abuse. Coley and his defense lawyer said he was drunk whenever any inappropriate conduct took place.
District Judge Anthony Baca said defendants who confess to crimes such as Coley’s typically receive lengthy prison sentences. The reason for Coley’s light sentence was the mercy of his victims, according to the judge and prosecutor.
“It is the unique posture of the (victims) at the center of this case that they are somewhat forgiving,” said prosecutor Justin Pierce. “To be clear, it’s not through any mercy on my part that the defendant isn’t receiving a lengthy prison sentence.”
Coley’s father Bruce read aloud what he said were the words of the victims.
“They stated to me that they are not afraid of (Coley) nor do they hate (Coley),” Bruce Coley said. “They stated to me that they still love (Coley) and that they want him to be part of their lives going forward.”
After their son was handcuffed and taken away, Coley’s parents spoke to a reporter outside the courtroom.
“It was truly an alcohol-related crime,” Bruce Coley said. “Without the alcohol he wouldn’t have the propensity to behave this way. He just succumbed to the evil.”
nmetcalf@durangoherald.com
