A 24‑year‑old woman from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, is now in federal custody after authorities say she crossed state lines to sexually abuse a minor in northeast Wisconsin. The case has shaken communities in both states, and a federal complaint paints a troubling picture of online manipulation, repeated travel and alleged abuse.
Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Wisconsin filed charges on December 23, accusing Randi L. Cook of interstate travel with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, production of child pornography and coercing or enticing a minor for unlawful sexual activity. If convicted, the penalties Cook faces are steep and could include decades in prison.
According to court documents, investigators say Cook began communicating online with a 16‑year‑old in northeast Wisconsin between November 7 and December 16 of last year. What started as messages, officials allege, quickly became inappropriate and coercive, as Cook allegedly convinced the minor to send sexually explicit photos.
Authorities further claim Cook didn’t stop at online contact. They say she traveled from Oklahoma to Wisconsin more than once, and during those trips she sexually abused the teenager at a hotel and a short‑term rental property. These intimate meetings are at the heart of the federal complaint filed in late December.
After her arrest, Cook made her initial appearance in federal court in Green Bay and remains in custody as the case moves forward. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for mid‑January as prosecutors continue to lay out the evidence.
The potential punishments Cook faces are serious. The charge of interstate travel with intent to commit a sexual act against a minor could bring up to 30 years in prison. The production of child pornography charge carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years, and coercion and enticement could result in at least 10 years to life behind bars. On top of any prison sentence, fines and supervised release terms are possible, and any conviction would require Cook to register as a sex offender.
Federal authorities have not released the identity of the minor because of privacy laws, and many details about how the online contact began remain under investigation. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and federal law enforcement continue to work the case, and more information may come out as the legal process unfolds.
At this stage, Cook is innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The charges outlined in the criminal complaint are serious allegations, and her next court hearing will be a key moment for both sides as this troubling case progresses.
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