After a couple tried to meet a very young child for sex, intending to rape her, Authorities did not pity them

A former Arkansas football coach, Benjamin Coney, and his wife, Emily “Grace” Brinley, have been sentenced to many years in prison for trying to meet a very young child for sex after being caught in an online sting operation.

Coney, 30, and Brinley, 26, were charged with online stalking of a child and planning to commit rape. Coney used to coach minor league football in Little Rock... Continue reading here ▶

Federal authorities said they will spend a combined total of 378 months (over 31 years) in prison, with no chance of getting out early. Coney got more than 17 years (210 months) in prison and will be supervised for 25 years after his release.

Brinley got 14 years in prison and will be supervised for 15 years after she gets out. A judge appointed by Barack Obama gave them their sentences on Thursday.

They also face charges at the state level.

Coney is charged with planning to commit rape, online stalking of a child, and 30 counts of having child sex abuse material, according to local news.

He has another court hearing soon. Brinley is charged with planning to commit rape and online stalking of a child, and she has a hearing scheduled for February 2025.

The investigation started in November 2023 after an undercover police officer got a message on social media from someone using the name “centralsfinest.” Police believe this account was used by both Coney and Brinley.

One of the messages said they were interested in “very messed up, sick taboos” and asked if the officer had any pictures of children.

The officer replied, warning them they could get banned from the site.

The couple then suggested they talk on a secret messaging app. In late November 2023, they talked on this app and said they preferred a certain young age for children, calling one age “perfect.” The messages became more and more graphic and detailed about child sexual abuse.

The police also said that Coney and Brinley sent pictures of themselves to the undercover officer, including a picture of Brinley showing part of her body that the officer didn’t even ask for.

The police arrested them after they agreed to meet the officer in person.

In separate interviews with police, Coney and Brinley admitted to doing some of the things they were accused of.

Coney admitted that police would find child sexual abuse material on his devices. He said he was just talking online and didn’t think he would actually do anything in real life, and that he changed his mind. When the officer asked him about specific comments he made about the children, Coney said his wife wouldn’t have done anything without him.

Brinley said she was just trying to be a good wife and wasn’t interested in children herself. She said she just went along with what Coney said. She also said she was uncomfortable with how “sketchy” the meeting was.

Coney is no longer a football coach. His former team, the Punishers, said they fired him after his arrest in December 2023 and that they don’t support his actions.