In a courtroom in Zanesville, Ohio, justice finally caught up with Cody Friend when a 32-year-old former baseball and football coach from Lancaster, Ohio, sat stone-faced as a judge handed down a heavy sentence.
A Friend had been convicted of sexually assaulting three young children over several years, and now, he’ll spend the next 44 years behind bars.
The news has upset communities and angered many online, but for the victims, it marks a move towards healing after years of suffering in silence.
Cody Friend’s Crimes Occurred From 2003 to 2011
Back then, he was a teenager himself, but that didn’t stop him from preying on kids under 18.
Some victims were even younger than 13, and the assaults happened at different homes in Muskingum County.
For over a decade, the survivors kept their trauma hidden due to Fear, shame, and confusion that kept them quiet.
But in 2024, they found the strength to come forward, and that’s when law enforcement stepped in and built a case. The trial was short but intense, lasting just three days in July 2025.
A Muskingum County jury heard heartbreaking testimony from the three survivors, who spoke about the abuse and how it wrecked their lives. Sadly, one battled drug addiction for years, while another felt a huge weight lifted after speaking out, whereas the third was scared at first but grateful for the support.
The jury took about eight hours to decide and found Friend guilty on 12 out of 13 charges: 11 counts of rape, all first-degree felonies, and one count of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony, but he was not guilty on one rape charge, specifically count five.
Prosecutor Ron Welch called these cases the toughest to handle. He said-:
“Victims often remain silent for years—sometimes decades—because of fear, shame, confusion, or manipulation by the abuser. When they do find the courage to speak, they often do so without physical evidence or witnesses. That’s why the jury’s ability to understand the dynamics of child sexual abuse and the reality of delayed disclosure is absolutely critical
Via Muskingum Prosecutor
Welch praised their bravery, for they relived their worst moments on the stand. In return, the prosecutor’s office gave them support and understanding. One victim said it restored her faith in the system. “I finally feel free,” she shared.
Cody was a Combat Veteran who Served For Five Years
This has added another layer to the shock, as he served five years in the United States Marine Corps as a heavy equipment operator.
After that, he worked as an independent insurance agent at Family First Life starting in 2022 and also coached youth baseball and football in Lancaster.
People saw him as a community guy, but behind that image was a predator who got arrested in November 2024 and has been held without bond in Muskingum County Jail ever since.
The sentencing came on August 18, 2025, when Judge Gerald Anderson presided in the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas.
The victims stood strong again as they read impact statements in front of everyone, which shows the lifelong damage: addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. One theme stood out, but Friend never showed remorse and refused to speak at sentencing or during his pre-sentence investigation. Judge Anderson noted that.
Prosecutor Welch pushed for the maximum: 111½ years and argued Friend’s actions scarred these kids forever. “We need to protect the public,” Welch said, but unfortunately, Friend’s age during the crimes he was a juvenile meant no life sentence.
Instead, the judge gave 44 years for 10 counts of rape and gross sexual imposition. As it’s mandatory time with no early release, which means Friend’s sentence ends in 2068. After that, he’ll register as a tier three sex offender. That means checking in with the sheriff every 90 days for life.
The victims asked for justice, not vengeance. One said, “Justice should not only punish; it should seek the truth, healing and change.” They showed mercy even as they sought closure. Welch thanked them for their bravery.
The Cody Sentence Quickly Sparked Anger and Sympathy From Zanesville and Beyond
A post from “INKarcerated Zanesville” called Friend a predator.
Cody Friend was a predator. He preyed on children. He was indicted on a staggering twelve counts of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition, with all of his victims under 18 years old at the time of the assault. Particularly chilling, counts one through five of his indictment — all rape charges — involved victims who weren’t even . teenagers yet.
Via Facebook
He was found not guilty on one of these charges (count five), justice, however prevailed. Friend was convicted on eleven counts of raping children, including four instances where the victims were under 13, and one count of gross sexual imposition with a minor. Cody Friend should never be allowed to breathe free air again .”
The words hung heavy, a reminder of trust betrayed.
People online are expressing anger about lenient sentences in child abuse cases.
One person posted,
“Life-altering crimes deserve life-altering punishments,”
Via Facebook
Others demand deportation or harsher laws for predators. It’s a chorus of frustration. Why do victims suffer forever while offenders get second chances?
This case highlights a broken side of justice, and delayed reports make prosecution hard, but here, the system worked because of brave survivors.
Friend’s lack of remorse sealed his fate. As one victim put it, the prosecutor’s office became her foundation. Now, with Friend locked away, maybe these survivors can rebuild.
