A Verde Villages man is facing sex crime and child pornography charges related to two arrests in less than a week. On Jan. 10, at approximately 3:15 p.m., a woman called the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office to report that her 10-year-old daughter was exiting a school bus in the 4600 block of South Pinto Trail in the Verde Villages, when she allegedly saw a man masturbating his exposed genitals in a nearby front yard.
As deputies were responding to the call, they received another notification from the mother of an 11-year-old child who was also on the bus and allegedly saw the same man masturbating.
During an interview with the 11-year-old, deputies learned she allegedly saw a man matching Shanks’ description masturbating about two weeks ago as she got off the bus.
She reportedly did not tell anyone at that time.
YCSO had received a previous report from the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District on Dec. 20, regarding similar activity which was under investigation.
Deputies identified the suspect as Cody John Shanks, 29, who resides in the 4600 block of South Pinto Trail in the Verde Villages.
The next day, deputies located Shanks at his place of employment, a building supply company in Cottonwood. He was arrested and admitted to the alleged actions. He refused to explain the motivation.
Shanks was booked on two felony counts of indecent exposure to a child under 15 years of age. He was released on a $25,000 bond.
Following Shanks’ arrest on Jan. 10, YCSO detectives continued follow-up with an investigation already underway involving Shanks and child pornography. Previous to his arrest, detectives were already reviewing a tip that Shanks may be in possession of child pornography. Shanks was currently out on bond.
During an interview with Shanks at the time of his original arrest, he consented to allow detectives access to cell phones and other electronic devices he uses on a regular basis.
YCSO obtained a search warrant and detectives began a forensic review of the content on these devices.
They reportedly found at least 14 images/videos of children allegedly under the age of 15 reportedly involved in sexually exploitive positions or behavior.
Shanks reportedly admitted to downloading and possessing the images. On Jan. 16, detectives booked him on 14 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor under the age of 15. Shanks remains in the Yavapai County Detention Center in Camp Verde on a $75,000 bond.
