A Fresno man and his wife already charged with sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl now face additional charges in connection with the discovery by detectives of child pornography and guns and ammunition,  the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said.

Bail for Brent Cox has been raised from $495,000 to to $640,000, the sheriff’s office said. He now faces additional charges of sexual exploitation of a child, possession of child pornography, and violating prohibitions against possessing guns and ammunition.

Cox, 41, has been held in the Fresno County Jail since his arrest last week. He pleaded not guilty Monday to nine felony counts: four counts of oral copulation of a person under 14; and one count each of sexual penetration of a victim under 14; continuous sexual abuse; contact or communication with a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense; meeting with a minor to commit sexual offense; and dissuading a witness from reporting a crime.

He is accused of abusing the girl, the daughter of his girlfriend who lived with the Coxes in a polyamorous relationship, between May 28, 2020 and Jan. 25, 2021. Investigators allege that Cox had been manipulating the alleged victim for months, grooming her so he could take advantage of her sexually. Detectives found evidence of multiple sexual acts over several months.

Back in Jail

Jillian Cox, 36, was rearrested Wednesday on new charges of aiding and abetting a known felon and conspiracy to help a prohibited person possess firearms and ammunition.

Detectives uncovered guns and electronic devices at a location separate from the Cox home in central Fresno.

Detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted forensic tests on the electronics and discovered they had been used to  manufacture child pornography, the sheriff’s office said.

Jillian Cox had been released from jail Friday after posting bail on the original charges of lewd acts upon a child and child abuse. Her bail as a result of the new charges was set at $115,000.

The 38-year-old mother of the alleged victim is still being held in Fresno County Jail on a bail amount of $225,000. She is charged with lewd acts upon a child, child abuse, and dissuading a witness from testifying.

She is not being named to protect her daughter’s identity.