Boston man arraigned on 30-count indictment faces July 2 dangerousness hearing

BOSTON, June 26, 2024 – A Boston man and former Brighton High School and MissionSAFE staff member faces a July 2 dangerousness hearing after a Suffolk County grand jury last week returned a 30-count child sex indictment against him, expanding the charges and number of victims since the man’s district court arraignment in April, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

JOHN JAMAR COKLEY, 38, of Boston, is charged with seven counts of sex trafficking of a child, five counts of aggravated rape of a child, one count of rape of a child by force, three counts of posing a child in a state of nudity, four counts of posing a child in a state of sexual conduct, four counts of enticing a child under 18 into commercial sex, two counts of inducing a minor to sell a controlled substance, one count of dissemination of harmful matter to a minor, possession of child pornography, and purchasing child pornography.

Cokley has been ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing in superior court on July 2.

Hayden urged anyone who may have been victimized by Cokley to contact the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit at (617) 343-6533.

“These allegations are extremely disturbing, particularly because they involve a person of trust with institutional access to young people. Social media is embedded in our society and so is the manipulation and exploitation that come along with it. I commend these students and the school for coming forward and encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim to contact the police,” Hayden said.

Assistant District Attorney Ashley Polin said Cokley sexually exploited five high school students via the social media platform Instagram and raped two of them between fall of 2023 and March of 2024.

Cokley worked as a paraprofessional at Brighton High School from 2019-2021 and was affiliated with MissionSAFE, a local non-profit that works with Boston at-risk youth and their families.

The investigation revealed Cokley surrounded himself with teenage girls, grooming them while exploiting their vulnerabilities and financial insecurities.

In March 2024, a local high school reported one of their students was being sexually exploited. Investigators from the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit were provided with a series of Instagram messages between the student and Cokley exchanging naked videos and images, as well as discussing where Cokley would meet the student to have sex in exchange for money.

The ensuing investigation identified additional victims who reported being exploited and/or abused by Cokley. They described meeting Cokley through Instagram, where he used the username “Hiddenjewelsgh,” and being induced into sending naked videos and images in exchange for money.

Cokley randomly messaged the girls through Instagram and would compliment their appearance to make a connection. Cokley would offer the girls an “allowance” if they sent him naked images or videos. Cokley repeatedly requested to meet up in person to have sex in exchange for money. Additionally, Cokley asked two victims to sell marijuana.

Cokley was described as always wearing a black ski mask when engaging in sexual activity in exchange for money.

Cokley would often complain that the girls, who were typically in school, were not responding to him quick enough and threatened to take away their “allowance.” On one occasion, Cokley asked one of the victims to go into the school bathroom and take a naked video of herself and send it to him in exchange for money through CashApp.

Investigators found dozens of naked images and videos of the victims on both his phone and Instagram account. Cokley can be seen in multiple self-produced videos of child sexual abuse material.

While the victims and witnesses of any crime should call 911 in an emergency, there are additional resources available to report suspected crimes against children. In Suffolk County, survivors of child abuse and exploitation and their non-offending caretakers can receive comprehensive services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County. Additionally, the CAC has a specialized program, Support to End Exploitation Now (SEEN) that specifically works with and advocates for youth affected by trafficking and exploitation. The CAC can be reached at 617-779-2146.

If parents would like help navigating online risks and how to discuss them with children and teens, District Attorney Hayden offers the Stop Block and Talk internet safety training program for caregivers and professionals. Information on the program and helpful resources can be found at www.suffolkdistrictattorney.com/stop-block-and-talk.

Anyone who believes that a child in Massachusetts may be the victim of abuse can call the Department of Children and Families’ Child at Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200. Those concerned that a child is being exploited online may report a Cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or www.cybertipline.com.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications