Austin man behind 3D-printed gun company charged with sex assault involving minor
The Austin man has been in the national spotlight in recent months for his controversial 3D-printed gun company, Defense Distributed. According to police documents, Cody Wilson has been charged with sexual assault involving an underage girl.
Author: Shawna Reding, Jenni Lee
KVUE/ABC
Published: 9:46 AM CDT September 7, 2018
Updated: 11:29 AM CDT September 19, 2018
AUSTIN — Cody Wilson, the Austin man who owns controversial 3D-printed gun company Defense Distributed, has been accused of sexually assaulting an underage girl, an affidavit obtained by KVUE reveals.
During a forensic interview with the Center with Child Protection on Aug. 27, the victim told counselors she met Wilson through the website, SugarDaddyMeet.com. Court documents show Wilson used the profile, "Sanjuro," and told the victim that he was a "big deal." During the conversation, he also identified himself as "Cody Wilson." Police said the two exchanged cell phone numbers and continued their conversations using the Apple iMessage service on her phone.
The affidavit doesn't specify her age, but identified her as a "juvenile female under the age of 17."
The victim told police that on Aug. 15, she and Wilson met in person in the parking lot of Bennu Coffee on 515 South Congress Ave. Court documents show Wilson showed up in a black Ford Edge four door sports utility vehicle with a license plate that matches one registered to Wilson's business, Defense Distributed. Court documents show there was surveillance video of this meeting.
The victim then told police that Wilson took her to the Archer Hotel at 3121 Palm Way. Surveillance cameras captured the two using the valet service, in the lobby and in the elevator.
The victim also said Wilson took her to room 718 where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. Afterwards, she said he paid her $500.
Wilson is not in custody.
Wilson said at a press conference in August that, despite a federal judge's order to block access to the files on the company's website, he is selling the gun blueprints by emailing them and by mailing them on USB drives. Wilson said this is a secure way of communication that was not included in the judge's order.
