Today, United States Attorney Thomas Govan announced that an Opelika, Alabama, woman has been sentenced for her role in a commercial sex trafficking scheme involving a minor.
On June 10, 2026, a federal judge sentenced 24-year-old Jada Renee Coggins to 135 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Coggins is also required to register as a sex offender for life. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Commercial sex trafficking inflicts deep and lasting harm, especially when minors are involved,” said U.S. Attorney Govan. “Removing those who exploit minors from our streets makes our communities safer and protects future potential victims. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute individuals who participate in these schemes and seek justice for the victims.”
“Sex trafficking of minors is one of the most appalling crimes our society faces, " said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. "No child should ever be subjected to this kind of exploitation and abuse. The pain inflicted on victims and their families is profound and lasting. HSI, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate and dismantle trafficking networks, and we will not rest until those who prey on children are brought to justice.”
According to court documents and her plea agreement, in December 2023, Coggins conspired with her co-defendant, Chloe Michelle Alexander, 31, also of Opelika, to induce a 17‑year‑old to engage in commercial sex acts. As part of the conspiracy, Coggins admitted that she photographed the minor and used sexually explicit images to advertise commercial sex on various websites. She also admitted transporting the minor to locations where the minor engaged in commercial sex acts.
Both Coggins and Alexander pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. Alexander is scheduled to be sentenced in August and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district judge will determine her sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Opelika Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Tara S. Ratz, J. Patrick Lamb, and Russell T. Duraski prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Middle District of Alabama — U.S. Department of Justice press release.