Little Rock, Arkansas – Benjamin Coney, a former minor league football coach in Little Rock, and his spouse are facing serious legal repercussions for an alleged attempt to engage in sexual activity with a young child.
Benton County sheriff’s detectives apprehended 26-year-old Coney and 25-year-old Emily Brinley. The couple reportedly traveled from Conway to northwest Arkansas to rendezvous with the child this Monday, as per an affidavit.
The affidavit reveals that Coney and Brinley believed they were communicating with the child via an encrypted app, but in reality, they were interacting with an undercover detective, as uncovered in court documents.
Both Coney and Brinley are accused of internet stalking of a child and plotting to commit rape. They are currently detained in the Benton County jail, each under a $200,000 bond.
Prior to these charges, Coney served as the head coach of the Arkansas Punishers, a team in the Next Level Football Alliance. He was terminated from this position by the team last Friday.
“We are aware of the situation involving Ben Coney and have terminated his employment with the team,” the Punishers wrote on social media. “We do not support or allow his actions at all in our organization.”